Anwar said today that the project depended on the country’s economic growth over the next year, but it will be included in the half-term study of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) and other government programmes.

“The highway is costly but it will help uplift the standard of living for the people. God willing, it will be approved,” he said at a Felda event in Felda Raja Alias, Jempol.

The prime minister said the new highway project was not included in the original RMK-12.

Shortly before the announcement by the prime minister, Negeri Sembilan caretaker menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said at the same event that details regarding the highway had been finalised and the state government was just waiting for Putrajaya’s approval.

Meanwhile, Felda chairman Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the building of the highway could cut travelling time from Seremban to Jempol to 30 minutes and it will become an alternative route to the Karak highway for travellers from the east coast.

The new route will become the latest highway project after the completion of the Temiang-Pantai highway in 2021.

At the same event, Shabery proposed a “Madani City” to be built on a large piece of land in Felda Raja Alias, covering 800ha. He said it could be called Felda Madani Jaya.