“We have done three pilot projects at three sites in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan (1km each) and right now these roads are still under the evaluation process.”

He said the fourth pilot project, using the same method, would soon be implemented in Pahang.

Fadillah said if proven good, technically and financially, such roads would be implemented in the on-going Pan Borneo Highway project.

According to Fadillah, construction of a rubberised road would be slightly more expensive than building a conventional one, but the maintenance cost would be much cheaper in the long run.

The minister said this after attending a special session with participants of “Jom Masuk Universiti” (JMU) 2017, organised by Halaqah Kemajuan Muslim Sarawak (Hikam) here today.

He was asked to comment on a statement by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mah Siew Keong yesterday that the government would be initiating work to construct rubberised roads in some parts of the country by this year.

This will also increase demand for rubber and push up its price.

Fadillah said normally the evaluation process would take two years but he had given a period of one year to evaluate by looking into the costing and technical parts.

More importantly, attention will be given to the outcome in terms of the strength of the new mixture of cup lump rubber and bitumen so that it will be more lasting compared with the conventional way of tarring roads.

“The final results will be available within this year. The three pilot projects are showing some positive indications that this will be one of the options.”