DEWAN RAKYAT NEWS IN BRIEF: MARCH 3

WORKS MINISTRY APPROVES RM47.45 MLN TO REPAIR FEDERAL ROADS IN KOTA MARUDU, KOTA BELUD, KUDAT

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Works Ministry has approved 16 work orders worth RM47.45 million, to repair federal roads in Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Kudat, which have sustained severe damage.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the approval was granted after the ministry reviewed the priority list and assessed the estimated damage, with the total cost for critically affected areas reaching RM71.2 million.

“The road maintenance work will involve localised heavy patching and road base reinforcement, using geo-grid and glass grid to restore the damaged road structure. The concessionaire commenced work on-site in early February 2025,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Wetrom Bahanda (KDM-Kota Marudu), regarding the ministry’s efforts to repair unsafe federal roads, particularly in Kota Marudu and across Sabah, due to damage and potholes.

Additionally, Ahmad said that the total application for periodic pavement maintenance for federal roads in Sabah for 2025 stands at RM421.99 million, with RM117 million already approved as of February 2025.

-- BERNAMA

PPR GUA MUSANG BENEFITS 927 FAMILIES, 73 UNITS UNDER REPAIR

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Gua Musang People's Housing Project (PPR) in Kelantan has benefited 927 families through the rent-to-own scheme, while another 73 units are currently undergoing repairs by the National Housing Department, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said that to date, the Kelantan government has not submitted any proposals to increase the number of housing units at the existing site.

“However, the 13-acre PPR Gua Musang site has been fully developed, with 1,000 housing units, along with ancillary and shared-use buildings. The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) remains open to receiving proposals for new PPR projects, from the state government or the private sector,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.

She was replying to a question from Gua Musang Member of Parliament Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who inquired whether the ministry planned to expand the number of housing units at the PPR Gua Musang, to reduce costs and meet the growing demand for affordable housing.

Aiman Athirah added that, as at Dec 31, 2024, the government had approved eight PPR projects in Kelantan, comprising 3,574 housing units. Of these, six projects have been completed (3,268 units), one is under construction (150 units), and another remains in the planning stage (156 units).

-- BERNAMA