Minister for all, not just Sarawakians: Works Minister dismisses bias in handling Pan Borneo Highway project

Nanta visiting one of the sites of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project in Kota Kinabalu on July 30, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 31: “I’m not just a minister for Sarawakian, I’m a minister for all,” asserts Malaysia Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi in dismissing accusations that delays involving the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah (LPB) project was due to him prioritising LPB Sarawak.

In a statement on his social media page yesterday (July 30), Nanta emphasised that previous ministers also gave equal attention to both the Sabah and Sarawak highway projects, with the Ministry’s ultimate aim to ensure the satisfactory and safe completion of them for the benefit of users.

His work visit to Kota Kinabalu began with an inspection of the progress of LPB Sabah Phase 1A in Sipitang, Beaufort Putatan and Penampang as well as Kiranau site under the 6th Work Package (WP06) from Putatan to Inanam.

Nanta (left) accompanied by stakeholders from Sabah visiting one of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project sites on July 30, 2024.

While several issues were directly brought to his attention, Nanta viewed that the key problem lies in poor coordination among contractor firms, government agencies and consultants, each with their own weaknesses.

“I have instructed a coordination meeting among all stakeholders involved urgently to refine and resolve some of the resulting issues contributing to the delay.

“I am closely monitoring this development and will always be in touch with the Sabah government to ensure that the LPB Sabah can benefit the people of Sabah,” he pledged.

Currently, the physical progress for the entire work of LPB Sabah Phase 1A, comprising 15 Work Packages is at 77.41 per cent with four packages completed, namely WP05: Donggongon to Papar on Aug 29, 2022; WP27: Kampung Lot M to Mile 32 on Nov 18, 2022; WP15: Tawau to Semporna on Aug 10, 2023; and WP21: Lahad Datu Bypass on Oct 30, 2023.

Elevan packages are still under construction, with expected completion in March 2026.

The ongoing construction of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project.

“I also inspected the condition of the slope failure on R500 which is the main road connecting Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom. The slope was reported to have collapsed due to prolonged heavy rain.

“The implementation of preventive work costing RM5.1 million has been approved and is being implemented by the concessionaire,” he informed.

Nanta added that the permanent repair work involving a cost of RM25 million, is being requested by the Ministry under Rolling Plan 5 of the 12th Malaysia Plan, but it is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Economy. — DayakDaily