KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Works Ministry has established guidelines for the installation of utilities along federal roads to prevent land subsidence incidents caused by leaking pipes, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the installation of utilities within federal road reserve must comply with the guidelines and technical requirements set by the Public Works Department (JKR).
“Periodic monitoring and maintenance are carried out by the concession company appointed by the ministry to ensure the road and drainage system are in good condition. The standard operating procedure (SOP) requires reporting any drainage system damage and taking appropriate repair actions.
“We will also work with relevant utility companies to ensure that federal roads maintained by JKR are safe and comfortable for road users,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in Parliament today.
He said this in response to a question from Klang MP V. Ganabatirau about the ministry’s plans to prevent sinkhole incidents in high-risk areas, especially in Klang.
Nanta said for new infrastructure development projects, it is JKR’s practice to carry out comprehensive site investigations to assess the parameters and structure of soil layers, which serve as key inputs for geotechnical and drainage design.
He said sinkhole incidents are more likely to occur in areas underlain by limestone, while land subsidence could result from several factors, including natural causes or human activities.
“However, there is no risk of sinkholes in the Klang area, as it is not underlain by limestone,” he said.
Nanta said that land subsidence incidents in Klang frequently resulted from non-natural factors such as utility pipe leaks, drainage problems, or failures in embankment structures.
— Bernama
