Major transformation after completion of Sabah Pan Borneo Highway: Musa
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah will experience a major transformation after the completion of Phase One of the Pan Borneo Highway project in 2021.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (pix) said the mega project would have a huge impact on Sabah's economy and its people's well-being.
"The Sabah Pan Borneo Highway is upgrading of the network from R3 level to R5 based on the Public Works Department standards with features for safe and comfortable travel of its users.
"This is proof of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government's commitment to spurring the state's economic growth through the development of more systematic, efficient and safer infrastructure," he said when interviewed by Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) deputy editor-in-chief Datuk Mokhtar Hussain at his office in Kota Kinabalu recently.
Musa said the 706km highway would, among others, be upgraded from two-lane dual carriageway to four-lane including bypass, hence shortening the time and distance of travel.
He said Phase One of the project involved a cost of RM12.86 billion.
The construction of this highway is contained in the manifesto of BN led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in the 13th general election, which is part of the highway development efforts in Sabah and Sarawak.
"The manifesto and planning were followed by several discussions and signing of agreements. Today, the Pan Borneo Highway is being constructed in phases and packages," Musa said.
The chief minister said the BN government had also promised that this highway would be toll-free.
"The people of Sabah will not have to pay toll when using this highway because they have no alternative route or road.
"This highway will also stimulate Sabah's economic growth as it eases communication for the people and industries.
"The Sabah Pan Borneo Highway as a people's infrastructure will indeed greatly benefit the people of Sabah," he said.
Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd had been appointed as the implementing partner of Phase One of the highway project. The agreement was signed by the federal government and Sabah government on April 11, 2016.
Musa said the state government would also build a new coastal road in Sabah's north-west to boost the tourism sector in this region. — Bernama