INGENIEUR
Lack of co-ordination and poor communications are key factors weakening the implementation of rural transportation
rural areas .” In addition , the JALB programme is in line with KPLB ’ s goal to expand the coverage of basic infrastructure to cover 100 % of villages in Peninsular Malaysia and 80 % of villages in the states of Sabah and Sarawak .
Under the 11 th Malaysia Plan , RM260 billion was allocated for development expenditure ( DE ) within the economic sector , accounting for the largest allocation at 61.4 %. Expenditure in this sector focuses on developing transport infrastructure , enhancing industrial and entrepreneurial development , improving public utilities as well as accelerating agriculture and rural development . The transport subsector is the largest recipient , constituting 18.7 % of the total DE budget , or RM8.4 billion , to cover financial investments in Peninsular Malaysia , Sabah and Sarawak , for the construction , maintenance and upgrading of roads , bridges , airports , ports , and railways . The DE Road projects are focused in rural areas , particularly in Sabah and Sarawak to stimulate economic activity through improving connectivity to urban commercial centres . The development of infrastructure in rural areas demonstrates the Government ’ s commitment to closing the gap between rural and urban areas .
Challenges and Issues
A lack of adequate financial resources , poor co-ordination , communication , and a lack of expertise in transport planning were identified as the most pressing problems in implementing rural transportation plans . Through literature reviews , some of the key issues that are seen as a hindrance to the rural development of transportation systems in the country can be summarised as follows : a . Inter-regional Co-ordination and Communication Lack of co-ordination and poor communication are key factors weakening the implementation of rural transportation , including insufficient local and state
18 VOL 92 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2022