KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,138 potholes were repaired under the “Zero Potholes” programme as of April this year, says the Works Ministry.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat that under the programme which began in July 2022, the Public Works Department (JKR) and federal road concession holders repaired 8,519 potholes on federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia last year.
“In 2021, JKR also developed a pothole monitoring application system (ASaPP) to monitor potholes through the use of an app on mobile phones, tablets, and computers, across federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia.
“All complaints related to pothole repairs will be registered in this application, and the encountered potholes will be immediately repaired and recorded in the ASaPP system, accessible to all parties involved,” he said.
Abdul Rahman added that these parties include the JKR headquarters, district JKR offices, and the federal road maintenance concession companies in Peninsular Malaysia.
He said this in a reply to a question from Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (PN-Gua Musang) during Question Time.
Mohd Azizi had asked the ministry to state the effectiveness of the Zero Potholes policy and to ensure that the repair works implemented under the initiative followed all the set specifications.
Abdul Rahman said a pothole has a width that is between 200mm to 1,000mm, with a depth of 25mm.
“If the size of the damage exceeds the size of a pothole, it is classified as road damage and requires permanent repair under the periodic pavement maintenance programme,” said the Deputy Minister.
Under the Zero Potholes programme, he said that pothole repair works will be carried out within 24 hours of discovery or reporting of the damage.
“In addition, the JKR will conduct inspections to ensure repairs are carried out according to specifications and to monitor the quality of the pothole patches,” he said.
At the same time, Abdul Rahman said the quality of pothole repairs must adhere to the specified specifications, referring to the Standard Specification for Roadworks (JKR/SPJ/2008).
“The JKR will constantly monitor the implementation of pothole repair works, starting from the selection of materials obtained from approved quarries to ensure high-quality and long-lasting repairs,” he said.
– The Star