PUTRAJAYA: The construction roads spanning 202 kilometres using rubber-based cup-lump modified bitumen (CMB) in several locations in the country is now 10 per cent completed, said Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) director-general Datuk Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor.
“The construction project is ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2020,” he told reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MRB and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) here Friday.
Zairossani signed on behalf of MRB, while IRDA was represented by its chief executive, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Minister of Primary Industries Teresa Kok.
In the 2019 Budget, the government allocated RM100 million for the use of CMB technology, especially for road construction in ports and industrial areas in stages.
The collaboration involves the use of CMB technology for road resurfacing and green tyres or environmentally-friendly advanced natural rubber tyres — Ekoprena — in the southern economic corridor, Iskandar Malaysia.
In her speech, Kok said the use of CMB technology will provide good road performance, including improving road resilience, cracking resistance, aging, and good slip resistance.
“The use of CMB for road construction can also encourage domestic rubber consumption in Malaysia,” she said.
She said the use of CMB technology and Ekoprena will be implemented through the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit which is expected to cover 90 per cent of the residential population area in Iskandar Malaysia. – Bernama
