External Audits Now Mandatory For Road Maintenance Concessionaires – Nanta

PONTIAN, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Road maintenance concessionaires will be required to appoint external auditors under new concession terms aimed at improving work quality and strengthening financial transparency, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said previous concession terms did not provide for an independent monitoring mechanism beyond oversight by the Public Works Department (JKR) and the concessionaires themselves.

“With this new requirement, we will no longer rely solely on internal reports. This is a significant improvement to ensure that road quality truly meets the required standards,” he told reporters here.

Nanta said a one-year interim period has been provided to facilitate the selection and appointment process, adding that the government is moving with urgency to implement the measure.

He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony and handover of the completed Sungai Pontian Kecil Bridge project, valued at RM23.12 million. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan and Public Works director-general Datuk Seri Roslan Ismail were also present.

Meanwhile, Nanta said the Pontian Besar Bridge Upgrading and Widening Project (FT005), which began on Jan 13, is expected to be completed in January 2029 with a cost of RM38.04 million.

The project involves widening the bridge from two lanes to four lanes and upgrading the existing intersection to improve traffic flow, safety and user comfort.

At the same event, the FT005/053/50 Sungai Pontian Kecil Bridge Replacement Project was officially handed over.

The RM23.13 million project is part of the Narrow and Ageing Axle Load Bridge Replacement Programme in Johor under Rolling Plan 4 of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP). Implemented in-house by JKR, it commenced on Jan 31, 2022 and was completed on Jan 25, 2026.

-- BERNAMA