60% of Pan Borneo Highway completed in Sarawak, 45% in Sabah

 

New project managers will re-engage all those who were terminated by the former project delivery partner, says works minister Fadillah Yusof. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pan Borneo Highway Project, one of the main projects under the works ministry, has shown positive development as the completion of the project in Sarawak has reached 60%, while in Sabah, 45%.

Works minister Fadillah Yusof said the construction of the 11 packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sarawak from Telok Melano to Miri was still ongoing involving a cost of RM16.12 billion.

“Following the termination of the project delivery partner (PDP) on Feb 20, 2020, the project continued to be implemented using the conventional method with the Sarawak Public Works Department as its supervising officer,” he said here today.

For the project in Sabah, Fadillah said 11 out of the 35 packages were being implemented and were 45% completed, while five are still in the planning and procurement stage and expected to begin construction this year.

The cost for 15 out of the 35 packages amounts to RM7.08 billion.

Fadillah said his ministry will strive to expedite the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway by coming up with the proposal to appoint a project management consultant to help the Sabah and Sarawak works ministries to implement the project in their respective states.

However, he said the appointment of the project management consultant was still being discussed and needed to be finalised by the finance ministry.

“I think the Public Works Department (JKR) of Sabah and Sarawak have a large number of projects right now, particularly in Sarawak. I don’t think Sarawak JKR alone will able to manage the projects.

“The project management company will re-engage all those who were terminated by the former PDP previously, to give them the priority in terms of employment for their experience and knowledge in terms of the project previously done by them,” he added. - FMT