Johor leverages Sarawak’s Pan Borneo Highway triumph to gain infrastructure expansion insights

Mohamad Fazli (right) presenting a memento to Uggah witnessed by (from left) Chiew and Aidel at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Jan 3, 2024.

KUCHING, Jan 3: Johor has taken the initiative to draw insight from Sarawak’s experience in the management and successful construction of the Pan Borneo Highway – the largest infrastructure development project in the State – spanning 786 kilometres that took nearly a decade to complete.

Johor’s Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Ir Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh emphasised the significance of learning from Sarawak’s accomplishments, particularly as Johor undertakes the widening of the Highway Plus to address the escalating heavy traffic volume.

“We notice that Sarawak has been making strides in the infrastructure construction sector, especially in handling the construction of the 786 kilometres-long Pan Borneo Highway, which is a very big project, excellently.

“We are here to learn from Sarawak’s success and experience. Johor, too, is actively seeking foreign investments, so we have to upgrade our infrastructure,” he said in a statement following a courtesy call on Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.

Uggah highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway and commended the crucial role played by contractors with robust financial resources, resulting in 98 per cent completion as of December 2023.

“So these are the two most critical elements in ensuring its smooth construction process,” he said in the meeting.

Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), expressed Sarawak’s interest to learn from Johor’s technological advancements and approaches to further develop the State’s infrastructure.

“Johor has achieved almost 100 per cent in its infrastructure development. Thus, it is opportune for us to learn from Johor with regards to technology and methods used. We can always learn from each other experiences.

“Sarawak is always seeking new technology and systems to better develop our infrastructure,” he added.

The meeting included a briefing by Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak deputy director Dr Cassidy Morris on various projects, including the Pan Borneo Highway, Second Trunk Road, Coastal Highway, Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 1 and 2, and the Trans-Borneo Highway.

MIPD Deputy Minister Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo and its permanent secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yaw were among those present. — DayakDaily