KUALA LUMPUR – Illegal land use for agricultural purposes in highland areas has been identified as the main cause of damage to federal roads and slopes under the Works Ministry's purview.
The situation is endangering road users, particularly during heavy downpours when landslides or mud floods are likely to occur in such places.
One of the sections prone to landslides is the East-West Highway, notably in the Lojing area in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
A recent survey by the media, which accompanied the ministry on the third edition of its East Zone FTRoadpedia Tour recently, found that illegal agricultural activities have encroached on the road reserve in the area concerned, causing rainwater to collect there. Landslides have occurred in the area and caused the road to be cut off.
The risks posed by illegal land use along federal roads were among the main issues the ministry focused on during the tour. Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was among the 38 top-ranking officials of the ministry, its departments, and agencies who attended.
Fadillah told reporters that as part of efforts to curb damage to its roads and slopes, the ministry will take firm action to put a stop to the illegal agricultural activities by carrying out integrated enforcement operations with the state government and other related agencies.
He stressed that agricultural activities in highland areas must be managed properly, together with proper coordination, planning and integrated action especially if it involves the issue of land being acquired or used without approval.
“(Encroaching on road reserves) will affect the existing infrastructure (roads), as well as expose the land acquired without following the proper procedures to various risks. What we are afraid of is the occurrence of critical events such as a mud flood as it can cut off the road,” he said.
“When this happens, many parties will be affected including road users as well as farmers who will not be able to deliver their produce due to the road closure,” he added.
The minister said continuous efforts must be made to encourage people to use federal roads more often as the government does not want its infrastructure to be underutilised.
“We want to increase traffic flow on the road network concerned so that people don’t just view them (federal roads) as alternative routes to avoid congestion during the festive season,” he said, adding that driving on the federal roads can be a beneficial experience.
Pointing to Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley in Kinta district, Perak, he said the federal road users can visit Cameron Highlands in Pahang which is known for its scenic views, tea plantations and strawberries.
The Malaysian federal road system is the nation’s main national road network. According to the Ministerial Functions Act 1969, the Works Ministry is responsible for planning, building and maintaining all federal roads – totalling 17,830km in length, including in Sabah and Sarawak – under the Federal Roads Act 1959.
However, following the development of highways nationwide since the 1970s, there has been a marked decrease in traffic flow on federal roads.
By promoting the use of federal roads, the ministry also hopes to boost the economy of the local communities concerned.
“Usually during the festive season, road users tend to choose federal roads. They may (for instance) go from Kuala Lumpur to Raub by using the Bentong-Raub road to avoid traffic congestion…(and then) stop at one of the shops in Bentong to eat or get something.
“Many residents have also set up stalls along the road to sell their agricultural produce,” he said. – Bernama, September 6, 2022
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