KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Motorcycles have been barred from the new Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway for safety reasons, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said motorcyclists should have special lanes but because of the lack of space on the expressway, such lanes could not be provided.

"We have to take all aspects into consideration especially safety as we cannot have motorcycles weaving in and out when there is limited space and when there is a bridge there," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching PLUS Expressways Bhd's Chinese New Year road safety campaign themed Respect Your Limits.

PLUS is the operator of the North-South Expressway.

Samy Vellu said space along the expressway was limited because it was through residential and industrial areas.

He added that residents and building owners had earlier requested that they do not get relocated because of the highway.

The 26km long expressway, which was opened on Dec 13, connects the city centre to Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and KL International Airport. Toll collection began on Jan 17.

Motorcyclists are also not allowed on the Ampang Elevated Highway and the Smart Tunnel.

Earlier, Samy Vellu said all main contractors would be required to register their sub-contractors with the Public Works Department with immediate effect to ensure proper management and payment of projects under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

The new ruling was based on a recent directive by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that subcontractors be paid directly rather than via main contractors.

"We usually face a lot of problems in implementing projects as the main contractors usually hire sub contractors as and when they like.

"And when the department makes payments to the contractors, they fail to pay the sub contractors," he told reporters after the handing over ceremony of completed projects under the Plan to the ministry here.