KOTA KINABALU, Aug 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the construction of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway expedited, to ensure the people enjoy better roads.
He said the construction, which has been delayed for some time, must be accelerated without further hindrance.
“The Sarawak (portion of the) Pan Borneo is nearing completion, while in Sabah, it is still delayed. It has been agreed with the Sabah government that we will do it as soon as possible. I told (Works Minister) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to take over, and I won’t interfere.
“I want the completion to be expedited so Sabahans can experience this project valued at tens of billions of ringgit.
“The highways in the peninsula have tolls, paid by users. The highways in Sabah and Sarawak are toll-free, funded by the government for the people to use,” he said at the Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) Convention here today.
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman; state Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Christina Liew; and state Nasional Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Also present were United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation president Datuk Ewon Benedick; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup; and state Keadilan Leadership Council chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
On July 29, Nanta said the construction of Sabah Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1A project has reached 77.41 per cent, and is expected to be fully completed by 2026.
He said four of the 15 work packages in that phase have been completed, while the remaining 11 packages are under construction.
On the implementation of targeted diesel subsidies, Anwar said the federal government’s move, among other things, was an effort to prevent the fuel from being stolen by irresponsible parties and sold across the country’s borders.
He said Sabah and Sarawak were excluded from the decision due to road conditions in both states, in addition to the high dependence of the people on the use of four-wheel drives, which use diesel, for their livelihoods.
“In the peninsula, diesel is less used, except for fishermen and small farmers, but we give them RM200 every month to cover the cost of diesel. However, in Sabah and Sarawak, it is not implemented, as too many people use diesel,” he said.
— Bernama
