Sabah Pan Borneo highway project delayed – Rahim

KOTA KINABALU: The implementation of the Pan Borneo highway project in Sabah has been delayed, said Deputy Finance Minister 1, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri yesterday.

He explained that out of the 11 packages offered, the physical progress achievement so far is only 21.2 percent.

He reminded that the highway with a length of 1,236 kilometers will be able to generate Sabah's economy.

He also said that the project is being implemented in phases by the Works Ministry – the first phase involves 706 kilometers from Sindumin to Kota Kinabalu to Mile 32 Sandakan and Tawau as well as along the coast of Tuaran to Kudat; the second phase involves the upgrading of available road with a distance of 98 kilometers from Tamparuli to Ranau; and the third phase involves a road distance of 432 kilometers from Tawau to Kalabakan to Keningau to Kimanis.

“The overall project has been broken into 35 packages under the original planning,” he said.

He also said that the coastal road project from Tuaran to Kudat should consist of six packages but was offered as one package (WP 10).

He added that so far the progress of the road construction from Pituru to Rampayan Laut is 11.5 percent instead of 20.7 percent, which is the schedule set under the original contract.

Abdul Rahim, who is also Kudat MP said that there are various issues causing the delay.

“The change in government in 2018 has resulted in the change of the implementor of the project to the Sabah Works Department,” he said.

He urged the Federal Works Minister, Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof to assist in speeding up the implementation of the project.

Abdul Rahim said that Fadillah is experienced in handling the project as he held the same position under the Barisan Nasional rule.

“The people of Sabah are hoping that he will take swift action to return the project to the right track and speed up its implementation,” he said.

He also said the coastal highway from Tuaran to Kota Belud to Bingolon Kota Marudu to Kudat is expected to be a game changer for the Sabah economy, particularly at Sabah's west coast.

“If the project is completed, the distance between Tuaran to Kudat will be 124 kilometers. This will reduce the traveling period,” he said.