Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof
KUCHING: Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he was happy with the progress of the Pan Borneo Highway project.
He said most of the land issues are already resolved but the construction works needed close monitoring as there would be some issues on site that needed to be resolved particularly concerning the utilities that had to be relocated.
“Generally I am happy with the progress and we are now finalising phase two of the project covering Limbang and Lawas.
“There are already three alignments proposed and we have tabled them to the steering committee and if we can firm it up by October, then we should be able to finalise it and hopefully it will kick off by December or January next year,” he said.
Fadillah was speaking to reporters after the symbolic presentation of Ibadah Korban to 69 surau, mosques, Village Development and Security Committeee (JKKK) and Neighbourhood Committee in Petra Jaya Parliamentary seat here yesterday.
Fadillah said phase one of the project (Sarawak side) was already ongoing, involving 12 packages.
As for Sabah side, the minister said the project would be implemented in three phases, with phase one divided into 35 packages.
“Now they are finalising the value assessments and engineering process for all the packages in phase one, with five packages already awarded and another 30 to be awarded soon,” he said.
He said phase one at the Sarawak side would cost about RM16 billion while phase one in Sabah involved a total cost of RM12 billion.
Asked on LRT project proposed by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg to connect Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian, Fadillah said the proposed project would not involve the federal government .
“It is the state’s initiative and right now they are conducting their own studies. They are appointing their consultant to conduct the study.
“Once the study is completed and finalised, and after they know the alignment, costing and other details only then they will submit to the federal government,” added Fadillah. — Bernama