KOTA KINABALU: The Pan-Borneo Highway (PBH) linking Sabah and Sarawak will stimulate economic and social development in East Malaysia, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said the PBH was considered to be among the best road network in the country and was part of an economic development agenda for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“With the highway, Sabahans and Sarawakians can move from one area to another with ease thus opening up new places with economic and social spillover effects,” he said in a dialogue session with participants of the Young Journalists Fellowship programme here yesterday.
Musa said the Pan-Borneo Highway, being built under the 2015 Budget spans across 1,663 kilometres and is scheduled for completion by 2025.
On another development, he said the state government has its own way of handling the oil royalty issue and achieving a win-win situation that would benefit the people.
“The state government understands the hopes and aspirations of the people on the issue. We are constantly negotiating with the federal government on the oil royalties and equity investments in oil and gas projects which includes the Kimanis-Bintulu Pipeline Project and Sabah Ammonia Urea Plant in Sipitang.
Musa, who is also state finance minister, said the state’s approach in gaining more revenue from oil and gas resources from Sabah’s offshore, was an alternative way forward. — Bernama