Gua musang: The Works Ministry (KKR) will strengthen a proactive approach based on risk assessment, technical studies, and long-term safety planning to manage the nation's infrastructure and reduce disaster risks like debris flows and landslides, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He stated that this approach reflects the government's commitment to ensuring the country's road network remains safe and resilient, benefiting the public and supporting strategic routes crucial for connectivity and economic activities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta emphasized that the slope repair project along Route FT185 Section 61.00 of the Lojing-Gua Musang road exemplifies the implementation of long-term mitigation strategies rather than simply repairing damage post-disaster. "We need to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach based on risk assessment, technical studies, and long-term safety planning," he told reporters after the handover ceremony of the Slope Repair Project along Route FT185, Section 61.00 of the Lojing-Gua Musang road.
The RM10.4 million mitigation project includes comprehensive measures such as slope repairs, drainage construction, resurfacing, utility relocation, and essential debris-flow mitigation components like a Sabo dam and a debris-flow barrier. The Sabo dam construction marks the fourth such structure by the Public Works Department (JKR) in Peninsular Malaysia, following previous constructions in Raub, Pahang; Seremban, Negeri Sembilan; and Baling, Kedah, enhancing the nation's capability to manage debris-flow risks.
The Sabo dam is designed to control flow velocity, trap debris and sediment, and reduce overflow risks, thereby enhancing the resilience of national infrastructure against climate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns. Nanta stressed the importance of infrastructure safety, resilience, and maintenance, highlighting that every allocation spent on such projects is a long-term investment in public safety, smooth mobility, and local economic stability.
He also pointed out that periodic maintenance of the Sabo dam requires proper annual allocations to ensure its optimal functionality. Meanwhile, Galas state assemblyman Datuk Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim noted the benefits of the Sabo dam for local residents and road users, reducing flooding and debris flow risks that previously affected the main road.
Mohd Syahbuddin recalled the 2021 incident when swift currents from a nearby waterfall carried trees and debris onto the road, disrupting daily activities. "The swift flow from the waterfall area crossed the road, so with the Sabo dam in place, road users no longer have to worry about floods carrying rubbish and debris that block the route," he said. He added that the Sabo dam construction also benefits the Orang Asli community in the highlands, who rely on the route for their daily activities.