A better future with Pan-Borneo Highway
GAME CHANGER: Once built, it will not only boost connectivity but also boost Sabahans’ lives
AS an engineer, Shahelmey Yahya knows how important the Pan-Borneo Highway will be for Sabah. He understands that the road project will be a game changer for the state and, more importantly, for the people who yearn for a better link.
Having seen how life is in rural Sabah, the challenges people face with the lack of basic infrastructure in his 20-year professional and political career, Shahelmey understands well the heavy responsibility he holds in leading a company tasked to oversee the project.
As the managing director and chief executive officer of Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd, he sees it as his chance to bring about changes desired by the people for better connectivity that will help elevate their economic status.
New opportunities from agricultural activities, transportation, interactions, tourism and much more are bound to fall into place once the expansive road network is built.
In April, Borneo Highway PDP was appointed as the project delivery partner for the first phase of the project in Sabah to build new routes, or upgrade the existing 706km of roads by 2021 at a cost of RM12.8 billion.
Across Sabah, the three-phase project will see a 1,236km stretch of road network upgraded or built by 2025.
The company will implement, supervise, manage and deliver the project within the time and cost allocated for the first phase, which is divided into 35 packages.
“One of the challenges is to ensure the participation of capable local contractors who can deliver,” said Shahelmey, who is also Sabah Umno Youth vice-chief.
“As a local engineer (entity), we feel proud to be entrusted with such a huge project. It will provide us with a platform to gain more experience, especially in building highways.
“We need to find capable ones that can follow the key performance indicators, namely complete their designated tasks within the agreed time and cost,” said the 43-year-old, who obtained his civil engineering education from Bristol University, England. He is confident that Sabah companies will be able to prove themselves worthy and pull their weight.
“Like we say, ‘Sabah tatap boleh’. We recently had a dialogue with Bumiputera companies and those who are not familiar with our role as project delivery partner, raised their concerns.
“We have many young engineers around Sabah who are below 40, but are already involved with the present economic activities, such as Sipitang and Kimanis oil and gas industry, water treatment projects and rural roads projects.
“So, I am confident that Sabah contractors will rise to the challenge, and this highway project will provide opportunities for both young and senior engineers to expand their experiences.”