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Infrastructure development plays a critical supporting role in facilitating
the growth of other sectors, particularly in the distribution of goods and services,
which is vital in the 8MPs aim of growth with resilience. Efforts are
put in to upgrade existing facilities and increase capacities, particularly
in the less developed areas as well as to improve productivity and efficiency
in urban areas. In addition, greater accessibility, adequacy and quality of
the supply of infrastructures will contribute to a better quality of life.
The emphasis of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) during the plan period 2001-2005
for infrastructure development is thus geared to increase the capacity
and accessibility in less developed areas, and to enhance efficiency and improve
public transport services in the urban areas. The participation from the private
sector continues to be encouraged by the government who will assume an increasingly
important role in supervising and setting the performance standards of infrastructure
facilities and services to support the growth and competitiveness of other sectors.
Development thrusts during the 8MP period are guided by the following strategies:
Emphasis on long-term integrated planning and coordinated implementation
of projects to ensure a more orderly, systematic and comprehensive deve-lopment
of infrastructure and utilities,
Provide a comprehensive range of infrastructure facilities and amenities
to facilitate economic growth and open new corridors for development,
Promote multi-modalism to enhance the seamless integration of all modes
of transport,
Encourage the use of public transport as well as intelligent transport
systems, particularly in urban areas to reduce congestion,
Increase efficiency, productivity and reliability of service through
continuous review and stricter enforcement of performance standards and technical
specifications as well as the use of new and adapted technologies, and
Ensure the availability of reliable infrastructure facilities and services
at reasonable costs.
Roads
Road development programme are continued with emphasis on quality and safety.
New roads construction will focus on opening up corridors for development as
well as improving accessibility to rural areas. A total of RM5.1 billion is
allocated for the 8MP in developing new roads, and RM8.9 billion for improving
and upgrading existing roads, which is in line with efforts to improve safety,
driving comfort and reduce travel time, including the provision of motorcycle
lanes in identified dangerous stretches.
The emphasis is placed on roads leading to and within the less developed areas
in order to provide better access and improve these road systems. New rural
roads are built to high geometric standards to facilitate the movement of larger
commercial and heavy vehicles to serve industries located in these areas, thereby
accelerating rural and regional developments.
Ports
Port development are continued with the focus on improving capacity, upgrading
equipment and facilities as well as enhancing the efficiency and productivity
of port and port-related services. In terms of capacity, an intergrated approach
to develop a comphrehensive range of inland related support facilities and services
will be adopted. Accessibility to ports, especially road and rail links will
be upgraded. Simultaneously, multimodal transport operations that offer door-to-door
services will be in place.
In addition, various measures will be undertaken to further promote the expansion
of Malaysian shipping lines including ferry services, preserve marine environment
and upgrade navigational safety. Total port capacity is increased at a rate
of 9.5 per cent perannum from 344.1 million tonnes in 2000 to 541.9 million
tonnes in 2005.
Allocation
The allocation for infrastructure under the 8MP was increased from RM21,222.1
million as compared to RM20,913.1 million under the 7MP (please refer Table
1). The substantial investment in infrastructure projects serves to further
improve the transport network in the country.
The 8MP is therefore focused on increasing efficiency, productivity, quality
and reliability of infrastructure facilities and services to enhance linkages
and improve transportation to support the nations competitiveness. Environmental
considerations is also integrated into infrastructure project planning for greater
safety and provision of a better quality of life.
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