KUCHING: Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, described the site of the recent Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students’ accident along the Gerik–Jeli route as heartbreaking and deeply sorrowful.
“I visited the scene of the accident involving UPSI students along the Gerik-Jeli route and saw fragments of the victims’ belongings still left behind.
“As a father myself to children who are also still studying like these students, I was deeply moved.
“The sorrow borne by the families of the victims is beyond words,” he said in a Facebook post following his visit to the site today.
Nanta added that at the beginning of his appointment as the Works Minister, the Gerik-Jeli route was among the first stretches he prioritised for gradual repair and upgrading.
“Within the first six months of my tenure as Works Minister, I approved an allocation of RM30 million in June 2023 to rebuild part of the FT004 route.
“This was followed by an additional RM30 million allocation by the Honourable Prime Minister himself, in August of the same year, to upgrade this road,” he added.
He stated that although this amount is insufficient to carry out full repairs along the entire stretch – which spans over 200 kilometres – the Works Ministry (KKR) and Public Works Department (JKR) are doing their utmost to distribute the funds towards repairing the most critical sections and road furniture.
“Step by step, upgrades are being carried out in phases based on the allocations received from the Government.
“For 2025, a total of RM55 million has been allocated for maintenance works on the East–West Highway FT004,” he added.
He stressed that a Pavement Condition Assessment (PCA) using advanced technology has been completed, with a report currently being prepared, which will serve as a vital guide for the next steps in pavement-related works.
“Non-pavement works, such as guardrails and signboards, are in progress, currently reaching 10 per cent completion and expected to be finished by August 2025.
“The site of the tragic accident at Section 170.4 is also included in a solar lighting installation programme aimed at improving safety at dangerous bends.
“Work will commence this July and is expected to be completed by October 2025.
“A pavement programme worth RM80 million will begin once the PCA report is finalised,” he added.
He firmly emphasised to all parties within KKR, JKR, and the involved concession companies that every ringgit allocated is a trust that must be fulfilled responsibly in the name of road user safety.
“Human lives are irreplaceable,” he stressed.
