Malaysia must ensure that billions of ringgit allocated to transport infrastructure under Budget 2027 translate into fewer train disruptions, safer roads and shorter commuting times, rather than merely measuring success by the number of projects completed, a transport expert has warned.
Monash University Malaysia Department of Civil Engineering Senior Lecturer Dr Susi Susilawati said the government’s transport investments must be backed by measurable performance targets, transparent reporting and independent evaluations to ensure meaningful returns for commuters and taxpayers.
In an exclusive response to BusinessToday, she said the challenge was not simply how much Malaysia spends on transport, but whether the investments improve daily journeys, reduce road fatalities and strengthen economic connectivity.
“A programme should not be considered successful merely because its budget has been spent or its infrastructure completed,” she said.
RM3.4 Billion Rail Investment Must Cut Breakdowns
Dr Susi said Prasarana’s investment of more than RM3.4 billion in rail rehabilitation, alongside the government’s acquisition of 42 new train sets for ETS and KTM Komuter services, was an important step towards improving capacity and reliability.
However, she cautioned that purchasing new trains and upgrading infrastructure would not automatically eliminate breakdowns, delays or overcrowding.
Long-term improvements would depend on effective maintenance, reliable signalling and power systems, spare-parts availability and operational planning.
She urged rail operators to shift from reactive repairs towards predictive maintenance while publishing consistent, line-by-line performance indicators covering punctuality, cancellations, equipment failures and passenger congestion.
Dr Susi also proposed developing an integrated digital twin of the rail network to identify potential faults, simulate disruptions and coordinate alternative transport arrangements.
RM8.2 Billion Road Maintenance Needs Greater Accountability
Turning to road infrastructure, Dr Susi said the RM2.5 billion allocated for federal road maintenance and RM5.7 billion under MARRIS for state roads presented an opportunity to address deteriorating road conditions and accident-prone stretches.
However, she stressed that maintenance priorities should be determined by road conditions, accident records, traffic exposure and safety risks rather than simply responding to pothole complaints.
She called for clearer repair deadlines, independent verification of completed works and contracts that reward durable repairs instead of the number of potholes patched.
Performance should be measured through improvements in road conditions, maintenance response times, recurring defects and reductions in serious accidents.
Telematics Alone Will Not Prevent Road Fatalities
On the government’s proposal to make telematics systems mandatory for commercial vehicles and require drunk or drug-impaired drivers to compensate victims, Susi said the measures could strengthen accountability and monitoring.
However, she warned that technology and tougher penalties alone would not prevent fatal accidents without consistent enforcement and improvements in road design.
“Compensation and monitoring are not substitutes for preventing crashes,” she said.
She stressed that telematics data must trigger meaningful interventions, including driver training, investigations and enforcement action, rather than merely generating information.
The government should also prioritise dangerous road sections, improve speed management and strengthen emergency response capabilities to reduce deaths and serious injuries.
Cheaper Fares Alone Will Not Shift Commuters From Cars
Dr Susi said the continuation of My50 and introduction of MyKomuter50, which could save commuters an average of up to RM160 monthly, would help reduce public transport costs.
However, she cautioned that cheaper fares alone were unlikely to persuade motorists to abandon private vehicles without improvements in service frequency, reliability and first- and last-mile connectivity.
She said the effectiveness of the subsidies should be measured by the number of additional passengers attracted to public transport rather than simply the savings enjoyed by existing users.
The planned East Coast Rail Link operations and RM270 million allocation for bus-service improvements also presented opportunities to strengthen regional mobility.
However, the economic benefits would depend on how effectively rail and bus services connect residential areas, employment centres, schools, healthcare facilities and local businesses.
She added that the proposed 22km covered walkway linking key locations in Kuala Lumpur could improve pedestrian access, but similar initiatives should be extended to residential neighbourhoods and transport stations.
Independent Evaluation Needed To Protect Public Spending
Dr Susi said fragmented responsibilities and inconsistent transport data remained major obstacles to assessing whether public investments were delivering meaningful improvements.
She proposed a national results framework requiring each major transport programme to establish baseline performance data, clearly identified accountable agencies, time-bound targets and regular public reporting.
Universities could also play a greater role in independent evaluations, transport modelling, predictive maintenance and road safety analysis.
She stressed that transport investment outcomes must ultimately be assessed through improvements in safety, reliability, accessibility and economic productivity.
For Budget 2027 to deliver lasting value, she said the government must move beyond counting infrastructure projects and demonstrate how public spending translates into better journeys, fewer accidents and more efficient transport services for Malaysians.
