Review Cameron Highlands bypass project, govt told

An environmental NGO has called on the Prime Minister and the works ministry to reassess the Cameron Highlands bypass road project, arguing that it fails to tackle the underlying causes of traffic congestion in popular tourist destinations such as Kea Farm. Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH) highlighted its observations, site inspections, and input from locals, which indicate that congestion is primarily caused by insufficient parking, insufficient public transportation, and inadequate overall traffic management.

The organization asserts that the root cause of the issue remains unresolved, while a substantial investment of public funds is being allocated to a project whose advantages are uncertain.

REACH also questioned whether the project would primarily benefit the public, pointing out that it could potentially raise the value of large privately-owned properties along the proposed route. The Cameron Highlands community has a right to know who the real beneficiaries of this project are, the NGO stated.

In February, Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (AZRB) received a RM430.06 million contract to build the new bypass and improve existing federal roads between Tanah Rata and Kea Farm. The project involves constructing the Tanah Rata bypass, upgrading Federal Route FT59 from Tanah Rata to Kea Farm, and improving Federal Route FT434 (Jalan Griddle). The works ministry justified the project following a traffic congestion study conducted in Cameron Highlands in September 2020.

REACH had submitted petitions and letters to the works minister, Alexander Nanta Linggi, over the past year, expressing its concerns. However, no official response has been received. The NGO also filed a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Putrajaya, requesting an investigation into the project's overall justification and execution, with no updates provided so far.

REACH urged the government to allocate the funds to pressing local needs, including enhancing public transportation, establishing centralized parking, rehabilitating slopes, managing landslide risks, and preserving water resources. The organization further urged authorities to hold a transparent public engagement session, allowing the people of Cameron Highlands to comprehend the genuine justification for the project and evaluate its potential to address the district's longstanding challenges effectively.