IPOH (Nov 22): The government is allocating RM150 million for road repair and paving works using the cup lump modified asphalt (CMA) technology method nationwide.

Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM) Engineering Unit head, Dr Nazirah Ahmad, said the allocation is able to cover road repair and paving works involving a 270-km stretch.

“In 2019, the government, through the Ministry of Finance, channelled an allocation, amounting to RM100 million, specifically for repair and paving work involving 205 km of alignment (nationwide) using this CMA method.

“For this year, the government has once again channelled allocations for the same process to be carried out involving a 65 km long stretch,” she said when met at the CMA Technology Application site visit at the Tasek Industrial Area here on Wednesday.

CMA is a new road paving method, using modified bitumen, with a mixture involving coagulated (or cup lump) rubber that could improve the quality of resurfacing.

She added that the main objective of the CMA expansion is to expand the use of rubber, while increasing the income of rubber smallholders in the country.

Meanwhile, Ipoh mayor, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, said that RM5 million has been allocated for repair and paving work using the CMA method in Tasek Industrial Area, IGB Industrial Area, Jalan Bendahara and the main road of Station 18.

He said that the repair and paving work will start on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the middle of next month.