KUALA LUMPUR (July 12): The first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak is 45% complete, slightly ahead of the scheduled completion rate of 43%, said Works Minister Datuk Baru Bian.
In his written reply to a question by Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof (PBB-Petra Jaya) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Baru said the first phase involves the stretch from Telok Melano to Miri.
He added that for the second phase of the highway in Sarawak, the ministry is currently undertaking preliminary works for the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road, which is a new alignment linking the two states over 415 km without passing through Brunei Darussalam.
"This stretch involves the interior areas of northern Sarawak including Baram, Limbang and Lawas and will connect to Sindumin and Long Pasia in Sabah," Baru said.
He said as far as construction costs are concerned, the implementation model of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak is being reviewed again, particularly with regard to the specifications and original scope of the project.
The Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak is a dual carriageway that spans 1,064km from Telok Melano to Lawas.
On July 8, Deputy Works Minister Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir said in an oral reply to Yamani Hafez Musa (Independent-Sipitang) in the Dewan Rakyat that the Sabah Public Works Department is evaluating if it can meet the initial Dec 31, 2021 completion date as the department has to resolve local issues related to the highway's construction, such as land acquisition.