PARTICIPATION OF JKR MALAYSIA TO 27TH WORLD ROAD CONGRESS IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.

The 27th World Road Congress took place in Prague, Czech Republic from October 2-6, 2023. The congress was organized by the World Road Association (PIARC) and Czech Road Society. It is an Olympic to road engineering event with the attendance of 3500 participants from 115 countries with 500 papers were presented during the congress session. Malaysia through JKR is a member country since 1989 had also participated the congress that held for every 4 years’ time. JKR Malaysia were represented by the Director General of Public Works, YBhg. Datuk Ir. Ahmad Redza bin Ghulam Rasool, the First Delegate to PIARC, YBhg. Dato' Ir. Ibrahim bin Esa, Senior Director of the Road Branch a council member of the PIARC, Ir Hamzah bin Hashim, Superintendent Civil Engineer of the Road Branch, is also a council member PIARC and the head of the PIARC Malaysia secretariat. There were 2 paper presenters from JKR Malaysia at this congress, namely Ir Ts Hidra Hasbee bin Jamil from Senggara Road Fasiliti Branch and Dr Azwan Ezzany bin Azmi also from Senggara Road Fasiliti Branch.

As a customary, meeting of the PIARC National Committee and PIARC Council is held before the congress to determine the direction of PIARC for the next 4 years. The National Committee Meeting was held on 29 September 2023 and was attended by YBhg. Dato' Ir. Ibrahim bin Esa and Ir Hamzah bin Hashim. The meeting is the platform to report all activities related to road engineering for each national committee. Malaysia has reported activities related to road engineering organized by JKR Malaysia with Road Engineering Association of Malaysian (REAM) over the past 4 years. Among other activities reported such as the 12th Malaysian Road Conference and Exhibition in 2022, Kuala Lumpur International Pavement Conference 2023 and others.

On 30 September 2023, the PIARC Council Member Meeting was held and attended by YBhg. Datuk Ir. Mr. Ahmad Redza bin Ghulam Rasool, who is also the Malaysia First Delegate to PIARC. YBhg. Dato' Ir. Ibrahim bin Esa, Ir Hamzah bin Hashim were also presents. The council meeting discussed and approved the direction and strategic plan of PIARC for the next 4 years. The approval then translated into the establishment of technical committees, steering committees, special working groups that related to the latest topics of road engineering worldwide. Among other important decision made during the council meeting was the bidding to host the 28th world road congress in 2027. The city of Vancouver, Canada received the highest vote from the council members, followed by Bali, Indonesia and Beijing, China. The city of Vancouver then was honour of hosting this congress in 2027.

The 27th World Road Congress begins on October 2, 2023 at the Prague Congress Center. The opening ceremony was grace by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala accompanied by the Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic, Martin Kupka. The congress also features Ministerial Sessions that share experiences on road safety and cycling initiatives. A total of 40 minister-level country representatives attended and shared the stage to talk about the two topics. YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Works had participated the session and shared Malaysia's initiative for road safety and MyJalan which was launched on 23 August 2023.

Since 23^rd WRC 2007 edition, Malaysia through the Road Engineering Association of Malaysia or REAM together with Malaysian road industry players have collaborated to organize the Malaysian Pavilion at the exhibition area. The Malaysia Pavilion were represented by 24 Malaysian companies consisting of contractors, suppliers, consultants and concessionaires exhibiting and showcasing Malaysian road engineering products. The Minister of Works, YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi inaugurated the Malaysia Pavilion and presented certificates of appreciation to the companies.

There were two (2) technical papers from the JKR Malaysia at the congress namely “Managing Safety Aspects of Rural Roads” prepared by Dr. Azwan Ezanny Bin Azmi and “An Analysis On The Effect Of Geometric Elements On Traffic Accidents At Curves” prepared by Ir. Ts. Hydra Hasbee Bin Jamil. There were also a close meeting of the Technical Committee attended by officers from JKR Malaysia namely the Asset Management, Pavement, Bridge and Disaster Management Technical Committee. Participation as a paper presenter and member of this technical committee proves that the quality of Malaysia's road engineering is at par at the international level. In addition, a series of technical visits were also prepared by the congress organizers to share the Czech Republic Road engineering of to the participants.

The World Road Congress is the culmination of technical committee members, steering committees, special working groups related to PIARC road engineering topics and road engineers around the world. It is estimated that as many as 50 numbers of guidelines, reports and other documents related to road engineering have been produced over the past 4 years to guide member countries to improve the aspects of road engineering. Malaysia through JKR Malaysia has greatly benefited from membership in PIARC by participating in PIARC committees and jointly producing the technical documents. JKR Malaysia also indirectly gains knowledge from other countries about their road engineering best practices. Therefore, JKR Malaysia will continue to be active in this world-class organization for the betterment of road engineering excellence.