PETALING JAYA, Feb 17 — The Works Ministry said yesterday its “zero pothole” target would be a tough feat to accomplish. 

This follows the ministry’s announcement on Monday of setting a “zero pothole” target for all roads under its management, beginning this year.

According to the ministry, efforts had already started in January.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof agreed the target is a near impossible one.

“Potholes cannot be eradicated completely. It can occur at weak spots on roads, including after flash floods or when traversed by overloaded heavy vehicles,” he said.

Fadillah said at present, the ministry is tackling the issue by using a temporary cold mix compound to cover the potholes.

He said proper pothole repair using hot mix premix compounds take time as it requires road-cutting using heavy machinery and cleaning beforehand.

“This has to be done every fortnight or once a month, depending on whether the hot mix quantity is adequate for repair,” he said.

He said the ministry will be working with concessionaires to achieve its “zero pothole” target on main roads nationwide.

“The ministry is confident this can be achieved with stringent auditing and monitoring by the appointed engineers.”

He said the ministry, via the Works Department (JKR), has cohesively strategised its districts by strengthening its audit management unit to check whether concessionaires have taken all actions required.

“When they (the concessionaires) fail to deliver, a non-conformance report will be issued by a district engineer (JD) and a certain amount of money will then be deducted from them.

“JDs may also engage a third party to rectify these potholes, with the necessary payments being deducted from the concessionaire,” he said.

He added that federal roads are currently being monitored by 78 district engineers.

On developers or utility companies doing bad patch-up road works, he said the audit monitoring unit will be able to detect such issues and follow up with the necessary action.

“All works and repairs for federal roads should get the approval of the respective JD, and a certain amount of the deposit will be retained before work commences.

“The retained portion of the deposit will be used for remedial repair works should the initial repair or restoration of the road not be up to JKR’s quality and standard,” he said.

Fadillah said the ministry will be proposing a revolving fund, aside from the deposit, to be set up in all states under its purview.

“This money shall be used as a contingency to repair roads due to improper  restoration by utility companies,” he said.

He said as for developers who carry out road works without approval, the JD will lodge a police report and a stop work order will then be issued.

He said to expedite the action taken, the ministry has established 14 different avenues and channels for the public to lodge complaints, including “Aduan KKR”, an app where one can send complaints  together with photographs and the  location for immediate and precise action.

The ministry oversees 14,697km of federal roads in peninsular Malaysia which are maintained by three road  concessionaires.

The concessionaire representatives in every district have to monitor the roads twice a week and submit a report to the respective JDs.