Usage of road barriers depends on technical specifications - Alexander

The use of types of road barriers in this country is based on suitability according to technical justification in a specific area to determine the materials that can be used to ensure the safety of road users.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said that his ministry is always attentive to the latest materials and technological developments from time to time, with a unit that tests the material samples to determine whether they are suitable for use on the country’s roads or not.

“When a new material is introduced in our market, we take a sample to see if it is suitable for our country, because our country has different elements (for example) excessive rain. So what is good in other countries may not necessarily be good in ours,” he said.

He made these remarks to reporters after inspecting a major project currently being developed at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) here today. Also present was UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Zaliman Sauli.

Nanta said this when asked to comment on whether the Works Ministry has plans to replace concrete or metal road barriers with shock-absorbing materials to prevent fatal accidents.

Nanta said, for example, on the Karak Highway in hilly areas, a “roller barrier” is used, which is a composite component that is not rigid, but this is unsuitable for some other areas.

Meanwhile, he said his ministry, as the implementing agency, has taken note of the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's directive regarding the reconstruction of SK Chuping and Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Perlis, which have been stalled for the past 12 years.

“These projects are still at the Education Ministry level (since they involve schools), and when the time comes, (if) they are sent to us, we will follow up with the appropriate actions as the implementer,” he said.

On April 27, Anwar ordered the reconstruction of SK Chuping to begin this year, while the school project must be immediately handed over to a capable government company during the chairing of the Special State Development Meeting with the menteri besar and the line-up of state and federal government leadership at the Perlis State Development Office.

Meanwhile, in a Works Ministry media statement, Nanta mentioned that there are three main projects at UniMAP, namely the construction of the UniMAP Mosque and Islamic Centre, UniMAP Grand Hall, and UniMAP Engineering Study Centre.

Nanta said the construction of the mosque and Islamic centre is scheduled to be completed in August, the grand hall is expected to be completed in July, and the Engineering Study Centre is slated for completion in October next year.

- Bernama

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