PETALING JAYA: RM13bil under the Budget 2026 will go towards upgrading and expanding road networks under the Works Ministry, including federal and state roads as well as rural routes.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government aimed to improve accessibility, safety, and the quality of public infrastructure, especially for rural and indigenous communities.
“The government has provided RM2.5bil for the maintenance of federal Roads, including resurfacing potholes, installing street lights in high-risk areas, and replacing damaged street furniture,” Anwar said when tabling the Budget 2026 on Friday (Oct 10).
He said RM700mil of this amount will be specifically allocated to G1-G4 class contractors, ensuring that small and medium local companies continue to benefit from the development agenda.
In addition, to support the Bumiputera contractor ecosystem, the Prime Minister said a further RM2.4bil will be allocated specifically for G1-G4 Bumiputera contractors.
RM5.6bil will be channelled through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) for state governments to maintain and repair state roads nationwide.
“Another RM30mil will be provided to strengthen the role of district engineers so that small-scale repairs can be carried out more quickly, especially those reported through the MYJalan mobile application,” Anwar added.
The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) will also install 3,000 LED streetlights at several highway hotspots identified as accident-prone areas, enhancing safety for motorists.
At the same time, another RM2.5bil will go towards building and repairing village and rural connection roads, including projects linking Pos Lenjang to Koa Jernang Pos Titom in Lipis, Pahang, Kampung Pong in Pengkalan Hulu, Hulu Perak, and Kampung Tok Adis to Kampung Banggol in Terengganu.
“We are not only repairing roads, we are connecting communities. Whether in the heart of Kuala Lumpur or deep in Lipis and Hulu Perak, every Malaysian deserves access to safe, reliable roads,” said Anwar.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that roads in Orang Asli villages will be improved at a cost of RM155mil, including new roads in Kampung Orang Asli Batu Peti and Panchor in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, and Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Mai in Jerantut, Pahang.
Nearly RM90mil will also be spent on bridge projects and village street lighting, including the installation of energy-efficient and solar-powered lamps to ensure safety and sustainability.
“We want rural Malaysia to be just as connected and well-lit as our cities, this is part of our commitment to inclusive development under the Madani framework,” Anwar said.
The initiatives, he added, will not only improve connectivity but also create more jobs for local contractors while ensuring that infrastructure upgrades reach every level of society.
