KOTA KINABALU: There is little sign of any quick fix for the moment, as the federal Works Ministry is still waiting for allocation of funds from the Finance Ministry.

       Its Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said they have identified roads stretching to some 227.3km under its watch in Sabah that are deemed as critical and needing immediate repairs.

       A section of the road at Mile 32 of Jalan Sandakan-Telupid. (Social media photo)

       Motorists have been complaining about the road conditions in the state, particularly in the interior and east coast districts, with complaints made in the press as well as being aired on social media every other day.

       Many have also complained of their vehicles sustaining significant damages after running into potholes, especially at night and during bad weather.

       In a report by Astro Awani on Wednesday (May 4), Fadillah said the ministry has five categories to assess the condition of federal roads, with Category 1 comprising roads in tip top shape and Category 5 involving roads that need prompt attention.

       The 227.3km is under Category 5. As for Category 4, there are 247.8km stretches of federal roads that have been identified as being in unsatisfactory condition and 237.7km of roads that need maintenance under Category 3.

       Fadillah added there are some 1,503.1km of roads under Putrajaya’s jurisdiction in the state.

       Among the districts previously reported as having the worst roads in Sabah are Ranau, Telupid and Sandakan, involving Jalan Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan, as well as Kinabatangan involving Jalan Sandakan-Tawau.

       Fadillah said the Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) had assessed that some RM220mil is needed annually to maintain and repair federal roads in Sabah.

       The Sabah PWD has submitted the application but still needs to wait for the approval from the Finance Ministry, he said.

       As of 2022, RM55mil has been sourced to Sabah to fix federal roads in the state.

       To another question, Fadillah said the government has only appointed one firm to be its concessionaire to undertake maintenance and repair works for federal roads in Sabah.

       He said the company was appointed in September 2018 and has been tasked with the responsibility for a period of 10 years.

       Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had previously lamented that irresponsible netizens were quick to rant and rave about the road conditions in the state on social media.

       Bung, who is also state Works Minister, said they did this without due inquiry, thus laying the blame squarely on the PWD and the government.