The federal government has been urged to revive a highway project between Pasir Puteh and Tok Bali that has been abandoned for five years.     

Pasir Puteh Development Coordinator Zawawi Othman said, so far, only 50 percent of the 13-kilometre highway worth RM60 million has been completed.     

"We were told the contractor could not complete the highway on time due to financial difficulties, even though the federal government had already given an initial payment of over RM10 million.     

"It is a big disappointment if this is true, because the funds have been utilised but there was no improvement or progress in the project," he told reporters after a Pasir Puteh-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations, Pasir Puteh today.     

Zawawi, who is also Pasir Puteh Umno chief, said the project was scheduled to be completed by year-end.     

He said the project delay also affected several other projects planned along the highway, including a proposal to build a Mara Skills Training Institute (IKM) for marine engineering, in Baroh Ajil.     

It has also delayed efforts by the federal government to develop the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), he added.     

Zawawi said land owners in the area were also ready to hand over their land in order to see the project completed quickly.     

"The project, which began in 2006, needs to be finished soon because it will enable the development of Tok Bali as the largest fishing town in the East Coast," he added.

- Bernama