Cost, design of Pan Borneo Highway being finalised: Works Ministry

PUTRAJAYA: The federal government is in the midst of finalising the cost and design of the Pan Borneo Highway, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof.
"We are still waiting the final survey being done on the design of the highway and as well as the cost," he said.
He said that while the ceiling price for the project is at RM27 billion, once everything is finalised, contractors will be appointed to carry out the project.
He also noted that the project will be carried out through Project Delivery Partner (PDP), where the project is funded by the Finance Ministry through Dana Infra – a similar model implemented by Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project.
"Through this, Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd will be the implementation agency, but the project will be monitored by the government, works ministry and state government," he added.
The first phase of the project involves 773km, which begins with the first package – the 33km link from Telok Melano to Sematan, and will begin September this year.
Fadillah noted that this project was part of Barisan Nasional's manifesto in the 13th General Election for the people of Sarawak.
When asked if the lowering value in Ringgit will affect the project, he said that the project will go on as scheduled.
Fadillah said this after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project between the Federal government, Sarawak state government and Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd at the Perdana Putra here today.
The MOU was signed by Works Ministry Chief Secretary Datuk Seri Zohari Akob on behalf of the Federal Government, Sarawak state secretary Tan Sri Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani for the Sarawak government, and Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Abang Urai Datu Hakim Abang Mohideen.
The MOU signing ceremony was also witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Chief Secretary Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.
Adenan, when approached by reporters, welcomed the project, adding that Sarawakians are grateful for the project.
"It will definitely open up the country, not just for communication, but also economic opportunities and activities and further advance the development (in the state)," he said.
He noted that the highway will function for Sabah and Sarawak like how the North-South Expressway (PLUS) is for Peninsula Malaysia.