LIMBANG: The government through the Ministry of Finance (MOF) will reassess the implementation of the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 and 3 to enable the involvement of local contractors.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the current challenge is related to the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which requires tender offers for projects worth over RM370 million to be open to member countries of the CPTPP.
“So this is the challenge being addressed by the MOF in terms of finding a way for us to deviate from those guidelines so that local contractors can also have the opportunity.
“Because if it’s open to international tenders, it won’t be easy for local contractors to participate, he said.
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities said this when officiating at the Badudun Festival and Buffalo Race held at Kampung Lubok Sigantang, recently.
He added that the implementation of the SSLR project and the Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) project will provide facilities for local residents, including the option to travel through or bypass Brunei Darussalam.
In this regard, he said both him and the Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi will continue to monitor these projects to ensure their timely implementation.
“In fact, I am arranging a meeting with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to discuss how we can expedite the implementation methods,” he added.
Regarding the Badudun Festival and Buffalo Race, Fadillah emphasised that such programmes can preserve local culture and serve as a platform to foster ties among communities.
He also announced an initial allocation of RM30,000 as a contribution to the programme.
During the three-day festival from May 19 to 21, various activities were held and attracted participants from outside Limbang, particularly Brunei.
The event, organised by the Limbang Malay Association in collaboration with the Limbang Resident’s Office, included exciting activities such as buffalo racing, craft exhibitions, cultural nights, ‘memukun’ competitions, ‘bacucul di sulap’ competitions, exhibitions from various agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), ‘pemarang’ competitions and many more.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Limbang Resident Unus Tambi and chairman of Limbang Malay Association Mohamad Abu Bakar.
