KANGAR, June 4 (Bernama) -- Road and slope repair work on the route connecting Wang Kelian near Padang Besar with Wang Prachan, Thailand, which collapsed due to continuous rain in November last year, is expected to be fully completed by August.
Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said that currently the route is only open to light vehicles with a load of less than five tonnes subject to safety conditions set from 8 am to 6 pm since March 1.
"This repair work is still being carried out by the Public Works Department (JKR)," he said when replying a question by Haziq Asyraf (Beseri-PN) in the question and answer session at the Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting at the Seri Putra Complex here today.
Haziq Asyraf wanted to know the state government's plans to restart operation of the Wang Kelian border after the floods in Perlis.
In the incident on Nov 23 last year, almost 400 victims were stranded in Wang Kelian after a landslide occurred on Jalan Wang Kelian following continuous rain since early morning.
Meanwhile, Abu Bakar said the state government was working to reopen the Wang Kelian Free Flow Zone operations when the Wang Kelian Free Flow Zone Pilot Project scheduled for Dec 12 2025 to March 31 2026 had to be postponed due to flooding and landslides.
“Looking at current developments and taking into account the recommendations of relevant departments and agencies regarding the security aspects in the implementation of the Wang Kelian Free Flow Zone, the state government has requested allocations from the Ministry of Economy for the construction of a security fence as an important prerequisite before the re-implementation of the Free Flow Zone can be realised.
“The state government is committed to ensuring that the re-operation of the Wang Kelian border is carried out safely, orderly and benefits the economy and well-being of the people,” he said.
Abu Bakar said the pilot project would be finalised with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Economy after the road repair work is completed.
-- BERNAMA
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