Johor Recovers Majority Of Delayed Infrastructure Projects

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 5 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government has successfully recovered most delayed infrastructure projects through strategic interventions and phased recovery measures implemented between 2022 and 2025.

State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said that out of 200 federal-level projects, 51 were identified as delayed, while 20 of 124 state-level projects were also behind schedule.

He said proactive measures had led to the completion of several critical projects, including the upgrading of the FT001 Johor Bahru-Air Hitam route in Kulai in 2023 and the construction of a new road at Jalan Kampung Rahmat in Batu Pahat in 2024.

“For 2025, the project to upgrade the road from Taman Kempas Utama to Kampung Maju Jaya into a four-lane route spanning 2.2 kilometres has also been completed,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, here today.

He was responding to a question from Ee Chin Li (DAP-Tangkak) on whether the state government is prepared to publicly list failed or delayed projects and take firm action against those responsible.

On previously terminated ‘sick projects’, Mohamad Fazli said several are now in the final phase under rescue contractors and are expected to be fully completed this year.

These include the construction of a concrete bridge at Jalan Gelang Patah-Pendas, the replacement of Kampung Sawah bridge in Pontian, the replacement of a bridge at Sungai Machap in Kluang, as well as a project in Kampung Perigi Acheh expected to be completed in 2027.

He said the state government has adopted a stricter and more structured approach, including terminating underperforming contractors, re-tendering projects, imposing Liquidated Ascertained Damages (LAD), and withholding progress payments.

“If delays worsen, a special committee will be formed to identify the causes and formulate effective solutions to ensure public interests are not affected,” he said.

As part of future improvements, he said governance will be strengthened by ensuring utility issues and land status are fully resolved before Letters of Acceptance are issued, in addition to tightening contractor capability assessments.

-- BERNAMA