PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has renewed the focus on the proposed East Coast Expressway 3 (LPT3), questioning the lack of a clear implementation decision or construction timeline in Budget 2027.
The 122km highway, planned to connect Kampung Gemuroh in Terengganu to Tunjong in Kota Bharu, is intended to provide Kelantan with an alternative road link to the Klang Valley.
But while LPT3 remains a priority for the state’s political leadership, the federal budget has outlined several other key infrastructure projects aimed at addressing Kelantan’s longstanding water supply problems, flood risks and transport needs.
These include the planning of the Lebir Dam, construction of the Machang Water Treatment Plant and replacement of ageing water pipes.
The federal government says work on the latter two projects is already under way, while the dam remains at the planning stage.
The projects address basic infrastructure problems that have long affected the state, where reliable access to clean water and protection against flooding remain major concerns.
The question, therefore, is not simply whether LPT3 should be built, but how the government should balance the demand for another major highway against other projects with direct implications for residents’ daily lives.
Water and transport projects in focus
The Lebir Dam is intended to serve as a long-term measure to improve water security and reduce flood risks.
The Machang water treatment project and replacement of old pipes are aimed at strengthening the state’s water supply infrastructure.
Kelantan’s own government has welcomed the announcements, with Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud describing the dam as part of efforts to address flooding and improve access to clean water.
The state has also highlighted the ongoing work on water infrastructure.
Transport investment is another part of the federal government’s plans for Kelantan.
The ECRL is scheduled to connect Kota Bharu with Gombak, while a new integrated bus terminal at the Kota Bharu station and improvements to stage bus services are intended to strengthen connections for passengers.
The proposed extension towards Rantau Panjang could also improve links to the Thai border, although its implementation will depend on the government’s plans and approvals.
These investments offer a different approach to improving connectivity, complementing existing roads and the Central Spine Road, which is being developed to link Kota Bharu towards Bentong.
Questions remain over LPT3
Tuan Ibrahim, the Kubang Kerian MP, said the absence of a clear decision and timeline for LPT3 left Kelantan waiting for certainty over the project.
He also questioned how the proposed highway would be financed, saying the public should be informed about the implications of private-sector financing for toll rates and users.
At the same time, he acknowledged the importance of the state’s water supply and flood mitigation projects, while seeking clearer progress reports and completion timelines.
The project’s financing is a significant consideration.
A parliamentary reply in 2024 put the estimated cost of the 122km route at RM9.8 billion and said the government intended to pursue it through a competitive public-private partnership process without direct government funding.
That leaves questions over the status of the procurement process, the availability of private financing and the conditions under which the highway could proceed.
PAS’s role in the previous Perikatan Nasional federal administration has also been raised in the political debate over LPT3.
For Kelantan, the immediate challenge is to ensure that announced water and transport projects move forward while the future of LPT3 becomes clearer. – October 13, 2026