PAN BORNEO HIGHWAY
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Ministry of Works is looking to expedite the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the initiative was put forward following a recent change of government and the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) which has led to a delay in progress towards the completion of the highway.
He also noted that the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s termination of the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak project delivery partner (PDP) agreement has also added an extra year to the duration of the project.
“As a result, the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has been appointed to implement this project, which will be monitored from time to time.
“Which is why we have discussed with Sarawak JKR on finding ways to expedite the completion of this project,” he told a press conference after an earth-breaking ceremony for the Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa road upgrade project here yesterday.
However, Fadillah noted that the methods had yet to be finalised and needed to be reviewed by the Federal Cabinet to confirm any changes to the policy and method of implementations.
He added that the current Perikatan Nasional Plus Gabungan Parti Sarawak (PN+GPS) government has decided to honour PH’s decision to terminate the PDP and move forward with the changes made by the previous ruling government.
“However, once the PDP was terminated, it has cost the current government in terms of lawsuits and compensation claims, including from the project consultants who were terminated.
“This also requires a solution at the ministry’s level to be decided by the PN government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“This is also currently being detailed and discussed. I hope that it could be finalised and a solution can be found for Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd,” he added.
Additionally, Fadillah said the project is nearly 50 percent completed for the state’s part of the highway.
“Sabah is still behind on their progress, which is why we had proposed to the Cabinet to devise a solution for Sabah as well. “As for Sarawak, the project is currently ongoing after its resumption during the RMCO. I will try to visit and these sites to observe the contractors’ adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.
