Keeping a close watch: Nanta (foreground, left) pointing at a display screen while visiting participants of the MRMC and MyARTTE exhibitions held at Mitec in Kuala Lumpur. — TheStar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry is planning to implement an external auditing system for highway concession companies early next year to ensure that road maintenance works are carried out adhering to the highest standards.
Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said under the initiative, each company responsible for road maintenance will be periodically audited by external auditors, instead of relying solely on internal audits conducted by the Public Works Department or the concessionaires themselves.
“Many concession contracts will expire early next year. External auditors will periodically audit the companies involved in road maintenance.
“Even now, requests for new proposals have been made for certain areas. We are seeking external expertise to conduct these audits so that all maintenance work is completed at the highest quality,” he said, Bernama reported.
Nanta was speaking after launching the Malaysia Road Maintenance Convention (MRMC) 2025 and the My-Asean Road and Traffic Technology Expo (My-ARTTE) 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Nanta said the convention aims to highlight the importance of highway and road maintenance, which should be given as much emphasis as construction itself.
“We do not want a situation where neglecting maintenance causes our roads to deteriorate quickly,” he said.
MRMC and My-ARTTE 2025 serve as strategic and innovative platforms in the region for road industry players to shape the future of mobility and connectivity across Asean.
The event brings together government agencies, industry leaders, technology providers and innovators to foster collaboration, share best practices and explore smart technology solutions to achieve a smart and safe infrastructure vision for the region.
In his speech, Nanta said that through the National Intelligent Transport Systems Blueprint 2030, Malaysia is accelerating the integration of smart transport systems, real-time data monitoring and AI-driven maintenance solutions into its national network.
“We are also advancing sustainable engineering using eco-friendly materials, recycled asphalt and energy-efficient construction, ensuring our infrastructure supports both economic and environmental goals.
“This is how we future-proof Malaysia’s infrastructure, by letting technology drive intelligence, and intelligence drive progress,” he said.
Nanta said the ministry outlined three strategic priorities that will shape the next decade of infrastructure policy: digital integration, sustainable engineering and collaborative innovation.
