The allocation of RM22.5 million to repair roads in Kelantan is an initial assessment cost that does not take into account the second and subsequent waves of flooding in the state.
Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the allocation also only involves the cost of damage to road infrastructure in Kelantan, excluding other infrastructure including buildings, bridges and slopes.
The Public Works Department (JKR) has also not assessed road damage in several other states that were also hit by floods such as Terengganu and Kedah.
He further said that the Public Works Department (JKR) branches in each state affected by the floods have been instructed to activate the Disaster Operations Room (BiGBen) in their respective states, just like the BiGBen activated at the JKR headquarters level.
Ahmad explained that the special task force or ‘task force’ during disasters in the states of the JKR has been activated, just like the BiGBen at the headquarters.
The BiGBen at the headquarters operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with six reporting areas including flooded roads, collapsed cliffs, damaged bridges and subsidence.
According to him, the team is required to carry out their duties in addition to providing early notification to ensure any incidents such as those to infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said that overall, development projects under the supervision of the Perak Public Works Department are 157 projects with a value of RM5.94 billion which covers the planning, design, construction and completion phases, excluding road and building maintenance programs.
