Penang: The Works Ministry (KKR) is aiming to secure the largest development allocation among all ministries in Budget 2027 to facilitate extensive development and infrastructure maintenance projects nationwide. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan revealed this ambition during a recent event.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry is actively collecting input from its associated agencies, such as the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), and Public Works Department (JKR), as part of its preparations for the upcoming budget. The divisions and agencies under KKR were tasked with submitting their input last week, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Finance Minister II on August 28.
Dr. Ahmad Maslan expressed his hope for an increase in KKR's development allocation compared to last year, during which the ministry received approximately RM10 billion, with RM9 billion dedicated to development. He shared these insights with reporters following the Cultural Night Run (CNR 2026) at the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge, an event that drew 5,000 participants, including 114 international attendees from 18 countries.
In another development, Ahmad highlighted KKR's efforts, through LLM, to enhance smart highway systems using digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), closed-circuit television (CCTV), smart lanes, and the local navigation application TuJu. TuJu, developed by LLM, is Malaysia's third navigation app after Waze and Google Maps, providing highway-specific information such as CCTV feeds, toll rates, and traffic updates. It is integrated with the LLM Traffic Control Centre, which oversees hundreds of CCTV cameras on all 34 highways, including those in Penang.
Ahmad urged highway users to leverage TuJu for real-time traffic updates to make informed travel choices, noting that Malaysia's 34 highways are operated by 28 concessionaires, spanning over 2,000 kilometers, with PLUS Malaysia Berhad owning more than half of these roads.
He also discussed the ongoing implementation of Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF), a system allowing for toll collection without requiring vehicles to stop at toll plazas. This initiative is currently in the proof-of-concept (POC) stage, with business-to-business (B2B) arrangements between concessionaires, free from government funding. "The 28 concessionaires can opt for either their subsidiaries or external companies to offer this service. PLUS has already initiated the MLFF with the JustGo system," he stated.
CNR2026 was organized through a strategic collaboration involving KKR, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP), Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), Penang state government, Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM), ANGKASA, Penang Amateur Athletics Association (PAAA), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB), alongside various government agencies, corporate entities, and other strategic partners.