KOTA KINABALU: The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Federal government for approving the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway project.
“IEM Sabah also congratulates Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and State government for securing the project for the people of Sabah,” IEM Sabah Branch chairman Haji Yahiya Ag. Kahar said.
“The same note also goes to Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd (BHP) for being appointed as the project delivery partner (PDP) for the first phase of the project,” said Yahya who is also State Public Works Department deputy director.
Pan Borneo Sabah Highway is about connecting the people and places that will change the landscape of Sabah Economic Development.
“IEM as learned society hopes to see 3P (people, planet and profit) to be imbedded into this project.
“The implementer must ensure local people’s social and economic welfare are to be preserved and not compromised as a result of the proposed development.
The implementor must also ensure environmental sustainability when carrying out the project.
“Whilst development aims to bring about positive economic growth, there is a need for environmental assessment to avoid adverse impacts and to ensure the surrounding environment is sustainable for now and future generations.
“The last P is profit. The Pan Borneo Highway is the biggest project so far and will create plenty of opportunities in the construction industry, thus creating numerous new jobs.
“The Government must ensure maximum local technical participation by engaging local consultants and professionals apart from local contractors in carrying out the works in order to fully benefit the local people here who have waited so long for such mega project,” explained Yahiya said .
He also reiterated that there is no need to bring in engineers from outside Sabah as the local professionals are more than capable to design and construct the project of this magnitude with highest quality commitment.
“The Government can rest assured that IEM and its members in Sabah are fully supported and will offer technical assistance towards delivering good product of Pan Borneo Sabah Highway.
Yahiya congratulated the Prime Minister for successfully launching the project at Papar last Sunday (April 24) which is fully supported by the Sabah Chief Minister and the State government.