SARIKEI: The Pan Borneo Highway needs upgrading to be on par with highways in Peninsular Malaysia, said Sarikei MP Ding Kuong Hiing.
During the current parliamentary sitting, he said the Pan Borneo Highway was not only the country’s narrowest highway, but is also have many sharp bends that pose great danger to road users.
“I hope the Works Ministry and EPU (Economic Planning Unit) are really serious with regards to the implementation of development projects, especially roads which still lag far behind in the state,” he said.
Ding pointed out that the highway is extremely dangerous when big vehicles like trailers and cargo lorries negotiate sharp and narrow bends, adding that statistics showed 20 people died annually in accidents on the stretch between Sarikei and Betong.
He thanked the Ministry of Works for considering upgrading the stretch between Betong and Sarikei to JKR R5 level under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).
Ding added that upgrading the Pan Borneo Highway would bring further economic growth to the state and contribute towards the development of the Tanjong Manis Halal Hub and the realisation of development programmes under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
He said the EPU should include upgrading work on the Bukit Huang-Sekumang Road under the first phase of the 10MP.
This is because it is regarded as the missing link to facilitate the flow of development from SCORE and the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub to other towns like Sri Aman, Engkilili, Betong, Spaoh, Saratok, Pakan and Julau.