KOTA KINABALU: More than half of Sabah’s roads have exceeded their design lifespan, making routine patching no longer effective in keeping them safe and functional, says state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (pic).
Shahelmey, who is also Deputy Chief Minister III, told the state assembly on Monday (April 14) that the government has started upgrading critical stretches, but acknowledged that many more roads across Sabah need complete rehabilitation, not just minor repairs.
"Most of our roads have gone past their intended life cycle.
"Routine maintenance like pothole patching is no longer sufficient.
"For these roads, the solution is resurfacing or full rehabilitation," he said during the question and answer session.
Shahelmey said the state has allocated RM285mil this year to rehabilitate four major roads using the cold in-place pavement recycling (CIPR) method: Jalan Nangoh Paitan Kanibongan, Jalan Kanibongan, Jalan Langkon-Pitas and Jalan Sapulut Kalabakan.
The 18-month project began in March and is expected to complete by August next year.
The overall funding for road maintenance in Sabah this year includes RM450mil from the state government and RM675mil from the Federal Government under Article 109(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution.
Shahelmey also told Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) that the Public Works Department (JKR) had appointed several long-term concessionaires and contractors for roadworks.
A federal road concessionaire appointed in 2003 had its contract extended to 2028, while a separate concessionaire appointed in 2004 continues to maintain state roads under a contract extended to 2034.
Apart from the two major firms, the state also engaged three contractors to handle rural state roads under a five-year agreement from June 2023 to June 2028, and 32 more companies to maintain gravel roads across the state’s districts.
In addition, one company was tasked with upgrading gravel and dirt roads to asphalt, while another was appointed to maintain roads under local authorities, including municipal and district councils.
These fall under the supervision of the state Finance Ministry and Local Government and Housing Ministry, Shahelmey added.
He said road maintenance contracts cover three categories of work: routine (pothole patching, grass cutting, signboard and culvert cleaning), periodic (resurfacing, bridge and drain repairs), and emergency (landslide and fallen tree clearing).
Routine works are paid monthly, while periodic and emergency works are paid based on progress or monthly completion.
Some works are also carried out under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris), in collaboration with the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID).
Shafie also raised concerns over the quality of work, despite the scale of funding.
“I went to Kudat and Sipitang. The roads are in terrible shape. You get sore necks, sore backs,” he said.
“RM500mil is being spent this year. In 2023, RM975mil was allocated and over RM1bil was spent through Marris. So where’s the outcome?”
Shahelmey said increasing economic activity, heavier traffic loads, overloaded vehicles and the weather are placing additional pressure on already ageing roads.
“We can’t just keep patching roads that have structurally deteriorated. For those, rehabilitation is the only long-term solution,” he said.
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