KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof revealed that the potential subcontract value for Sarawak portion of Pan Borneo Highway to be awarded to Bumiputera contractors is estimated to be RM5.19 billion.

In Parliament's Ministerial questions and answers session today, Fadillah said these Bumiputera subcontractors will be divided into three categories, namely domestic, nominated and designated subcontractors.

He was answering a query by Julau Member of Parliament Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.

"Domestic subcontractors are estimated to be awarded RM3.51 billion, nominated subcontractors are expected to get RM977 million, while designated subcontractors would able to secure the remaining RM706 million," he said.

Fadillah said the scope of these subcontracts includes work for construction of rest and recreation station, roadside stops, bus stops, bridges, and road signs.

For Sabah portion of Pan Borneo Highway, he said discussion on method of awarding subcontracts is underway, and will be finalise in the near term.

Fadillah added that the mechanism of subcontract awarding in Sabah would be similar to that of Sarawak.

The 1,236km toll-free Pan Borneo Highway is estimated to cost over RM29 billion, of which RM16.49 billion will be spent for the Sarawak portion, while RM12.86 billion will be spent for Sabah portion.