KUCHING: A Project Management Consultancy (PMC) will be appointed to assist Sabah and Sarawak Public Works Departments (JKR) to expedite the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway project.
Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the appointment of the PMC is still in the negotiation stage and the ministry is awaiting the final decision from the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
“The implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway project is the catalyst for the development of the socioeconomic, industrial and investment sectors along the highway,” he said in his winding-up speech at Parliament today.
He said 2021 Budget saw the government’s commitment in continuing the implementation of the Sarawak and Sabah Pan Borneo Highway projects.
“The continuation of this project will also ensure employment opportunities for locals, especially in the economic conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Fadillah said this has also directly proved the government’s commitment in ensuring the people of Sabah and Sarawak enjoy better infrastructure in the future.
He also revealed that the ministry will instantly implement projects that are approved in the First Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysian Plan.
He said that 52 new projects that had been approved would be implemented next year.
“Among the projects are the Sungai Limbang Bridge, Jalan Lawas-Merapok in Sarawak which costs RM115 million,” he said.
He added that these projects and other major new projects would have a significant impact on the people.
“Besides that, allocations to replace dilapidated and narrow bridges nationwide involving 14 new projects and a total cost of RM226.1 million were also approved.
Fadillah said the maintenance of road slopes on federal roads at a cost of RM200 million had also been approved.
“The others included information technology (ICT) system upgrade programme of RM46.481 million and ten studies under the road-related research programme costing RM98.9 million,” he said.
On road facilities, Fadillah said his ministry is also committed in ensuring that the roads in all states are maintained.
“The projects will be carried out in compliance with all the procedures and regulations that had been set so that Malaysia can enjoy better infrastructure facilities,” he said.
