Abang Jo tells how Borneo highway spurred new projects

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the highway project had paved the way for coastal roads and a second trunk road. (Bernama pic)

KUCHING: The development of the Pan Borneo Highway project has been a learning experience for the Sarawak government to plan for other infrastructure development in the state, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said.

He said the implementation of the project, costing more than RM16 billion, had paved the way for the state government to build coastal roads, as well as a second trunk road that would connect to the highway.

“I feel this project will not only stimulate development but will serve as a learning curve for carrying out other major projects in Sarawak,” he said at a dinner function here tonight.

He said the state government planned to construct a 145km road to link Marudi, an interior town in Miri division, with Long Terawan and the world-famous Mulu National Park.

He added that Long Terawan would also be linked all the way to Mount Buda in Limbang division and this road would be connected to a northern coastal highway that had been planned in the division.

Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Sarawak portion of the Pan Borneo Highway was 98% complete.

He said 19 of the 25 sections had been completed, with the remaining sections to be completed in stages by the first quarter of next year.