KUALA LUMPUR: The government had identified 13 high-impact public infrastructure projects across the country since 2009 and Barisan Nasional would continue with some of these projects which are still under construction if it is returned to power.
Selected airports in the country -Langkawi International Airport, Kota Baru Airport and Sandakan Airport - will be upgraded with an allocation of RM1.3 billion.
Penang, despite being an Opposition held state for the last ten years, will also see an upgrade of its international airport.
New airports will also built at Mukah and Lawas with an allocation of RM758 million.
Rail connectivity will be improved with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Baru and Singapore and the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR).
The east coast will not be left out, thanks to the construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Port Klang to Pengkalan Kubor.
An electrified railway line from Subang Jaya to the Subang Skypark Terminal will also be built as part of the integration of railway transportation.
Repair works will be carried out for KTM coaches, locomotives, railway tracks and bridges in the east coast, while the Sabah railway track from Halogilat to Tenom will also be upgraded.
In expanding the road network, the government will complete the West Coast Expressway from Banting to Taiping by 2020 and also the third phase of the East Coast Expressway.
The Central Spine Road will also be build to connect Kelantan, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan, reducing traffic congestion and drive new economic growth in the East Coast Economic Corridor.
In Sabah and Sarawak, transportation networks and interconnectivity will be strengthened by upgrading 12,500 kilometres of rural roads.
The government is also dedicated to upgrade and maintaining federal roads on a regular basis as an alternative to tolled highways.
In caring for the environment, the usage of electric buses will be increased in stages to reduce emission of carbon dioxide.
New modern and green urban developments along public transportation lines such as the ECRL, HSR and Gemas-Johor Baru Dual-Track Railway Line will also take place.
The use of electricity will be optimised through installation of smart metering and LED lights which is set to benefit 8.5 million users nationwide.
At sea, the government will significantly propel Malaysia’s competitiveness in the region’s port services industry by building a world-class modern port in Carey Island as the latest maritime hub with an investment of RM200 billion.
Langkawi’s jetty facilities, terminal and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex will be upgraded with an allocation of RM86.5 million to attract more tourists and foreign investment.
CIQ Complexes will also be built in Tebedu, Sarawak and Kalabakan, Sabah to increase economic growth and increase border security.
Roads and traffic dispersion at existing ports will be improved to control congestion and increase trade.
On the transportation of energy, the Multi Products Pipeline (MPP) project coverage area will be expanded by 600 km to increase distribution efficiency in Peninsular Malaysia.
The MPP project involves the transportation of petroleum products from refineries in Melaka and Port Dickson to Central and Northern region of East Peninsular Malaysia.
A 140km natural gas pipeline will also be build from Ayer Tawar to Ipoh.
In Sabah and Sarawak, electricity supply will be expanded with an allocation of RM2.3 billion.
The Trans Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP), worth RM4.3 billion, will be build to stabilise electricity supply and spur economic growth in Sabah
At the same time, the government will transform Malaysia’s public transport sector to greater heights.
Public transport infrastructure in the Klang Valley’s will be improved with the construction of Phase 3 of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).
Special student discount cards will be introduced to reduce the costs of transportation, government services and education-related necessities.
The government will also upgrade the Electric Train Service (ETS) coaches.
People's infrastructure projects such as village roads, bridges, streetlights and sewerage projects are not forgotten as well.
Drainage and irrigation systems in 143 locations will be improved to increase paddy output throughout the country.
Interconnectivity between rural areas will be enhanced through construction of 383 small bridges throughout the country.
The government will build and upgrade 830 km of plantation roads to increase accessibility to small farms, while 422 km of roads in FELDA areas will also be improved.
More street lights, signage and road markings will also be added in FELDA settlements along 1,240 km of roads to increase road safety.
The government will also build and upgrade bridges in critical areas such as in Batang Lupar, Temerloh, Kota Tinggi and Batang Kali.
These projects may contribute little to economic growth but are immeasurably significant to ensure the people’s wellbeing, said BN in its manifesto.
In the Federal Territory of Labuan, transportation infrastructure will be upgraded through the construction of bridges and ferry terminals to attract investors and tourists.
The government will also establish an integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that covers every type of transportation and traffic throughout the country.