Warisan wants names of contractors, consultants behind Pan Borneo delays

 

A Warisan leader today urged the Sabah government to disclose the identities of contractors and consultants responsible for delayed or underperforming work packages under the much-delayed Pan Borneo Highway project.

The call followed the National Audit Department's latest report yesterday, which laid bare a string of weaknesses in the multi-billion-ringgit project, now in its 10th year.

In a statement, Warisan supreme council member Chen Ket Chuin described the findings as an "indictment of failed governance" by the Sabah administration, led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

He questioned why, after years in power, Sabah continued to face "the same excuses" over unfinished roads, poor coordination, weak supervision and a lack of accountability.

"When money is given, the state must ensure it is properly spent. When a project is under state supervision, the state must ensure it is properly delivered. There can be no more excuses.

"No more finger-pointing. No more blaming others while Sabahans continue to suffer on broken and unfinished roads," Chen (below) said.

The department, in its 2026 Series 2 Auditor-General's Report, said only four of the project's 35 work packages, or 11.4 percent, had been completed as of March 31, while the remaining 31 packages, worth RM16.3 billion, were still under implementation.

The audit findings came despite the management of the highway construction project being transferred from the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) to the Works Ministry on Sept 22, 2019.

The project covers a total stretch of 706km from Sindumin to Kota Kinabalu and Kudat, Ranau to Mile 32 Sandakan, and Mile 32 Sandakan to Tawau.

It was initially scheduled for completion within 69 months, by Dec 31, 2021.

However, prolonged delays have pushed the total contract cost for Phase 1 from RM17.91 billion to RM18.96 billion - an increase of RM1.05 billion, or 5.9 percent.

‘Sabah needs honest delivery’

The Pan Borneo Highway project began on April 11, 2016, when Sabah was led by then chief minister Musa Aman, who is now the state governor.

Musa was replaced by Warisan president Shafie Apdal following the 2018 general election, before Hajiji (below) took over as chief minister after his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition won the 2020 snap state election.

Chen also called on the Sabah government to disclose which work packages identified by the National Audit Department were delayed, categorised as "sick" or at risk of further delay, as well as the reasons for the delays.

He also demanded that the government disclose the amount of public funds disbursed for the project to date and whether disciplinary action or contract terminations had been taken, or complaints lodged with the MACC, over the failures.

"This is Sabah’s most important infrastructure project. If after billions of ringgit and years of promises we still cannot complete it properly, then the people have every right to call this what it is: a clear failure of government.

"Sabah does not just need more federal money. Sabah needs honest delivery, competent supervision and leaders who take responsibility," he said. - Mkini