KUALA LUMPUR: The political alignment of local leaders has no bearing on repairs to road infrastructure around the country, says Works Minister.
Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the priority of repair works was based purely on the physical condition of the impaired roads.
Nanta was responding in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 31) to Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (PN-Bukit Gantang), who questioned the apparent lack of repair works to roads in his constituency.
"As long as I am in office, I guarantee you that I will do as my duty requires me solely based on the physical condition of the road and not on anything related to politics.
"We have clear standard operating procedures that we follow when deciding which roads are most in need of repair," he added during his ministerial replies.
On a separate matter, Nanta said the government would continue to look at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country soon.
He said the ministry planned to build more EV fast charging stations along main highways.
According to Nanta, 22 EV fast charging stations were already in operation at PLUS-operated highways, and a further 18 stations were already under construction.
Four modular portable EV fast charging stations with battery energy storage systems had also been built and were undergoing testing, he added.
The four stations are the first of their kind in South-East Asia, utilising both solar and battery power to charge EVs.
"Their performance will be monitored closely and evaluated before we decide whether or not to further introduce it on other roads around the country," he said.
