By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 21: The Works Ministry has handed over Launching Nose components for Modular Steel Panel Bridge (JPKB) or Bailey bridges as part of national preparations ahead of the Northeast Monsoon.
Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said floods and landslides that cut off roads remain a major concern for the people, especially in disaster-prone areas.
“Launching Nose is a crucial component in the installation of Bailey bridges as it serves as a guide that enables the entire bridge structure to be pushed across a river without requiring mid-span support.
“The equipment is engineered to improve efficiency and accelerate the installation of temporary bridges at road and bridge sites that are damaged due to disasters or critical structural failure,” he wrote in a Facebook post yesterday (Nov 20).
Nanta further said a total of 12 component sets worth RM21 million have been distributed this year to nine State Public Works Department (JKR) departments using allocations under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
The recipient states are JKR Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Melaka, Selangor and Johor.
“The initiative is not merely an expansion of inventory but a reflection of the nation’s readiness to ensure road access is not cut off during disaster incidents,” he added.
Nanta also extended his appreciation to JKR’s technical teams, describing them as “unsung heroes” who work in the field with physical, mental and engineering resilience to reconnect communities, accelerate emergency response and restore vital routes.
He reaffirmed that the Works Ministry will continue to maintain its commitment to safeguarding assets, ensuring roads are well maintained and carrying out swift disaster response to protect public safety. – DayakDaily
