SHAH ALAM – The construction and upgrading project for roads in Lingkaran Pulau Indah and Northport, Selangor which was announced through Budget 2025 recently is viewed as a dual-purpose approach that can boost the productivity of the domestic cargo-based industry.
The steps to upgrade the infrastructure connecting North Port and West Port, which was previously recognised as the 11th busiest port in the world for the year 2023 by Lloyd’s List, is a strategic plan to ensure that the country’s main shipping gateway remains one of the key assets in driving economic growth.
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Civil Engineering Studies senior lecturer Dr Rusdi Rusli said the function of main roads is to connect one location to another, involving not only the movement of goods but also the human resources that drive the industry.
He said the project, which will involve the widening and improvement of the road surfaces, is capable of increasing industrial productivity, thereby impacting production performance, which in turn will contribute to the strengthening of the state and national economy.
“The main issue we see is congestion…we do not want this congestion to become an obstacle to good connectivity to ensure that export or import goods can be linked well, and when our facilities are good, it will attract investors because the logistics network is an important factor for the industry.”
“Port Klang is among the busiest ports in Malaysia, so with a good road network it will further increase the productivity of the port, thereby contributing to the country’s tax revenue and at the same time, the cargo-based industry will continue to grow,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
In November last year, industry leaders, including Central Region Shipping Association president Philip Sinnappan and Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association president Datuk Tony Chia, have raised concerns about Port Klang’s outdated road infrastructure, despite the government’s RM50 million allocation for its development.
They highlighted severe traffic issues and inadequate road conditions causing delays and economic inefficiencies, urging both federal and state governments to take more proactive measures.
Chia noted the importance of logistics to GDP and stressed that improvements are needed beyond external infrastructure to enhance port efficiency.
Meanwhile, MAIWP International College University (UCMI) Logistics and Supply Chain Management lecturer Mohd Azlan Abu Bakar believes that improvements in logistics infrastructure can make Malaysia an attractive regional hub for multinational companies, especially in the manufacturing, trade and logistics sectors
“This has the potential to make Malaysia the main gateway for ASEAN trade, driving sustainable economic growth and providing job opportunities for the local population,” he said.
He also suggested that improvements should focus on several critical aspects such as reducing congestion, traffic management efficiency, and regular road maintenance to ensure that the potential can be achieved.
Mohd Azlan said from the social aspect, the upgrading and construction of the road, which also serves as a daily route for residents and workers, will certainly help reduce the risk of accidents and congestion that have long plagued the community there.
“Improvements to infrastructure such as wider roads will surely take into account better lighting systems, and the addition of safety technology like surveillance cameras which can enhance the safety of road users,” he said, adding that higher safety standards can reduce the percentage of accidents.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2025 announced an RM107 million allocation for construction and upgrading of Lingkaran Pulau Indah and Northport roads in Selangor to drive the country’s logistics sector. – November 9, 2024