Kuala lumpur: The construction of highways continues to play an important role in stimulating the country's economic growth through job creation, support for supply chains, and business opportunities, according to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM). According to BERNAMA News Agency, LLM Director-General Mohd Hadzmir Yusoff emphasized that highway projects provide job opportunities for contractors, while also stimulating the supply chain and the use of local manpower. He noted that facilities such as rest and relax areas, which are established once a highway is completed, open up opportunities for traders to conduct business, indirectly expanding economic activities and contributing to national economic growth. He shared these insights during the Ruang Bicara programme 'Needs and Challenges of Urban Highway Construction' by Bernama TV. Mohd Hadzmir explained that the demand for highways remains high due to the increasing number of vehicles and congestion on urban road networks. He highlighted that urban h ighways are still crucial as some city roads are quite congested, with daily traffic volumes monitored by LLM ranging from 5.5 million to six million. The increase in new vehicles further pressures existing road capacity, with approximately 600,000 new vehicles registered last year. On the financing aspect, he mentioned that highway development is carried out via a public-private partnership model, with construction costs borne by concession companies and recouped through toll collection. However, he acknowledged that highway construction does not provide a long-term solution for congestion, emphasizing the need for public transportation support. Meanwhile, IJM Corporation Bhd Toll Division chief executive officer Chua Lay Hoon remarked on the necessity of highways despite differing views on their impact on congestion. She pointed out that Malaysians' reliance on private vehicles necessitates infrastructure improvements to prevent severe congestion. Thus, highway development not only aims to meet current us er demand but also supports broader economic and social development.