SANDAKAN: The implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway for Sabah’s eastern zone involving the Kinabatangan-Telupid route, has great potential to develop the tourism sector in the east coast of the state.
Sandakan Tourism Association president CK Teo said this stretch of the highway could help draw more domestic and international tourists to visit attractive destinations on the east coast of Sabah.
“At the moment, the road linking the east coast of Sabah to Kota Kinabalu is damaged and has only one lane.
“This makes travelling arduous and dangerous as it is dotted with potholes and has no lighting. Some sections are also prone to landslides.
“Tourists would surely want a pleasant journey and as such the government has to give due attention to roads in the east coast of Sabah,” he said.
According to him, many top destinations are located on the east coast, such as the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, the Turtle Island Park as well as the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan.
“At present, I have to put up with huge repair costs for vehicles after making the to-and-fro trips from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu as we have to go through the infamous stretch between Sandakan and Telusid.”
Aqua-tourism operator in Pulau Sakar, Lahad Datu, Irunji Parija, said the highway, when completed, would ensure a smooth journey for travellers driving from Kota Kinabalu to the east coast.
He said they would not have to worry about the undulating surface of the road.
“A proper road would make driving smoother to the east coast, such as from Ranau to Gua Gomantong in Kinabatangan. After that, they can enjoy other interesting spots in Lahad Datu.”
He said the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah is a high-impact infrastructure project and had been a dream for Sabah residents yearning for better roads.
The Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah has three phases. For a start, 35 work packages have been planned under phase one, involving a distance of 706km.
Lahad Datu Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Cheng Teng said the implementation of the project would not only be a catalyst for tourism but could also stimulate the domestic economy and benefit local residents.
“With a better road system in all places, there could also be major cycling events like Le Tour de Langkawi in the east coast of Sabah.
“Such activities would bring more sports tourism to homestay operators, restaurants and others.”
He hoped the other two other phases of the Pan Borneo Highway project would be implemented soon.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob launched work on the Sandakan-Kinabatangan-Beluran-Telupid stretch today. He said the project, involving three packages covering 58km, would cost RM877 million and will be completed in 2024. - FMT
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