First phase of Pan Borneo Highway to be completed by 2021

PUTRAJAYA: The first phase of Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, involving a 706km stretch from Sindumin to Tawau, will be fully completed by Dec 31, 2021.
The first package of the 706km involving an 11.7km stretch from Papar to Dondongan will begin end of the month.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today witnessed the signing of the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) agreement to manage and build the first phase of the highway.
The agreement was signed between the federal government, Sabah state government and Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd (BHP), which was appointed to carry out the project.
Present at the signing ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.
It was reported last month that the Sabah stretch of the highway will cost RM13 billion compared to RM16 billion for the 1,090km stretch in Sarawak.
Musa when questioned by reporters on the cost of the first phase refused to respond.
The total length of the Pan Borneo Highway is reported to be 2,239km.
The construction of the Sarawak section is divided into 12 packages and is also expected to be completed by 2021.
The Sabah project was reportedly divided into 35 packages which mostly includes upgrading of the highway into a four lane, dual carriageway.
Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Zohari Akob, Sabah state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman and BHP managing director Shahelmey Yahya signed the PDP on behalf of the three parties.
"The highway project will change Sabah infrastructural landscape and provide a more efficient, comfortable and safer connection for several major cities in the state and its 3.74 million population," the Works Ministry said in a statement released at the ceremony.
The ministry said the project is an upgrading of the existing passageway as well as the construction of new roads to link the towns involved and will not impose toll.
The project implementation will also see an executive committee formed to oversee, coordinate and resolve any potential issues arising as well as to ensure that it maximises the people's involvement.