Budget 2027: Faster pothole repairs needed to protect motorists
PETALING JAYA: The funding under Budget 2027 for better and safer roads to ease the strain on motorists is a welcome move, said Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua.
He said the RM40 million allocation for district engineers would speed up small projects such as pothole repairs, adding that the RM2.5 billion for federal road maintenance, including the nearly RM800 million for G1 to G4 contractors is significant.
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He said the size of an allocation says little about its value as how quickly and efficiently the money is spent, how projects are monitored and whether results could be measured matter just as much.
He added that maintenance should be planned around thorough assessments of road conditions, traffic volumes and likely hazards instead of mainly reacting to problems.
Law urged authorities to stop waiting for potholes and other defects to be reported before fixing them.
He also called for more attention to be paid to state roads people use daily to reach homes, schools, hospitals, clinics and workplaces.
Law said the Budget should also be viewed through the eyes of ordinary Malaysians and whether it eases living costs and strengthens household finances.
“Spending on income support, essentials and utilities, healthcare, housing and transport should deliver clear, measurable benefits.”
He said low-income families are especially exposed when the cost of essentials and transport rises faster than wages.
He pointed out that road quality affects household costs as badly kept roads could mean damaged vehicles, higher repair bills, longer journeys and more fuel use.
He also said maintenance spending should have clear performance targets such as fewer road defects, lower crash risks, less vehicle damage and fewer traffic disruptions.
He added that projects should be closely monitored to confirm that funds are used efficiently and contractors meet the required standards.
“A preventive, data-driven approach will give taxpayers better value and make roads safer for motorists and other users.”
He said allocations for roads under Budget 2027 should be seen as an investment in public safety, mobility and household wellbeing, not just in infrastructure.
