Nanta: Almost all 786 projects under Works Ministry’s purview implemented as of October

MIRI (Oct 20): Over 97 per cent of the 786 projects under the Works Ministry’s supervision have been successfully implemented as of October this year, says Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

The Works Minister hails such accomplishment as reflecting the ministry’s strong commitment to delivering quality infrastructure projects across the country.

“This achievement showcases our dedication to ensuring that projects under our purview are completed efficiently and to the highest standards,” he said in a press conference held after witnessing the symbolic handing-over of the new Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Complex at Pulau Melayu yesterday.

Adding on, Nanta said from the 786 projects, only 21 – or 2.67 per cent – were considered ‘sick’.

“Of these 21 ‘sick’ projects, two are in Sarawak: the SMK Belaga, and the Miri Vocational College.

“Our efforts into ensuring the completion of these sick projects are on-going,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the just-tabled Budget 2025, Nanta said there was a nine per cent increase in allocation for his ministry, from RM9.511 billion this year to RM10.35 billion next year.

“We are delighted that many of our requests have been approved by the Ministry of Finance, and the allocation is considered good.

“For operating expenditures (under Budget 2024), the allocation has increased by eight per cent to RM1.022 billion, and the development expenditures up by nine per cent to RM9.327 billion for next year,” said Nanta, adding that RM2.8 billion would be slated for the maintenance of federal roads, and RM1 billion for the maintenance of the secondary, Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), and industrial roads.

Additionally, a sum of RM450 million would be set aside for small contractors in grades G1 to G4 next year, up from RM300 million last year, he said.

The federal minister also mentioned about each district engineer set to receive RM200,000 next year for works requiring immediate repairs.