KOTA KINABALU: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said that local companies from Sabah should be given a chance to develop the Pan Borneo highway.
Shafie clarified yesterday that he did not say that companies from Sabah would develop the RM27 billion project which stretches 1,633km across Sabah and Sarawak.
Speaking to reporters after launching the state-level Rural Entrepreneurs Mini Carnival at Lintasan Deasoka here on Saturday, Shafie said that he was not aware who would be appointed as developer of the highway.
However, he stressed that most of the rural projects under his ministry were given equally to local Sabahans.
“Normally we give priority to capable Sabahan companies, but they need to have money to develop.
“In my ministry, the rural projects such as road and clean water developments were given to Kadazan, Chinese, Malay … we share with all,” he added.
Since the project was announced in Budget 2015 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, there have been calls for local Sabah firms to be given a chance to developthe project.
Shafie also said the government would not allow the toll concept to be implemented on the highway as the main purpose of the project is to promote integration between Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Pan Borneo Highway, which will be developed under private financing, will not only connect both states but it also will increase the value of lands in the surrounding areas and the most important is that Sabahans and Sarawakians can get closer.
“The financing will be under the government expenses, and there will be no toll to be imposed in this highway. It is different from the highways in the Peninsular because the commuters need to pay for the toll,” he said.