JOHOR BAHRU: The Works Ministry has estimated the cost for repair of assets damaged due to floods in the affected states at RM500 million.

The ministry's deputy secretary-general (Policy and Development) Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd said the matter had been submitted to the Finance Ministry for approval.

He said the allocation to be given to the affected states, such as Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, would depend on need and extent of damage.

"We find many of our assets are damaged, especially roads, bridges and drains ... immediate repair is needed," he told Bernama when met while observing road maintenance work on the Pasir Gudang Expressway here late yesterday.

He said this when asked on the request for allocation of RM48 million by the Johor government for repair of roads that were damaged due to the floods in the state early this year.

On the maintenance work being done at the Pasir Gudang Expressway, Badrul Hisham said it involved Section 16 to 23.

He said there had been complaints of the road stretch being in bad state with potholes everywhere and was not safe.

"The ministry and the Works Department, as well as the concessionaires, are committed to ensure the road is safe for motorists...we hope to resolve the matter in three months," he added.

He said the maintenance work on the Pasir Gudang Expressway involved a total cost of RM10.8 million.

-- BERNAMA