Malaysia infrastructure and public works management

In October 2026, the Malaysian Ministry of Works reported a funding gap for the maintenance of the Federal Road network. Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan, noted that the 2026 allocation of RM3.18 billion falls short of the RM5 billion to RM6 billion required annually for Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. To manage repairs, the ministry is employing Pavement Condition Assessments to prioritize work based on actual road usability.

By November 2026, the focus shifted to project execution delays. The Public Works Department identified 38 delayed development projects valued at RM2.08 billion. Minister of Works Alexander Nanta Linggi attributed 77 percent of these delays to contractor management issues, such as labor shortages and site planning, while 23 percent were caused by external factors like land acquisition and rising diesel prices. The ministry is currently using the Project Solving Governance mechanism to address these issues, with six projects undergoing contract termination.