KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak officiallylaunched the sixth work package from Putatan to Inanam worth RM900 million yesterday.
The work package is part of the Pan Borneo Highway project.
Najib said as of to date, five packages worth RM1.7 billion had already been approved and in the process of implementation.
“That means RM2.6 billion has already been approved for Sabah to implement the Pan Borneo Highway,” he said.
In addition, there are two more packages that are waiting for the Finance Ministry’s approval while 13 are under assessment, he said.
Altogether, 29 packages are to be approved in the near future, he said.
“There is no other project that has bigger impact as compared to the Pan Borneo Highway which consists of 1,236 kilometres just within Sabah itself and cost RM12.86 billion in five years.
“This means that in terms of the development of the Pan Borneo Highway, we will spend about RM2 billion per year,” said Najib.
He cited that the Putatan-Inanam project was expected to be completed in three years and promises that it will bring about a transformation.
“There will be less traffic congestion. Putatan is vast developing with many congested areas,” he said of the present traffic situation in Putatan.
Najib also cited the importance of focusing on the development of people infrastructure or connectivity.
“When we want to develop a country, we need to focus on the development of people infrastructure or connectivity. When there is connectivity, the movement of people and goods from one place to another is eased…that is what we call transformation. I mentioned the policy of national transformation since 2009. We don’t mention this as a policy on paper (only) but we translate it,” he said.
With the vast development, more people will be able to commute and travel and business opportunities will open up, he said.
He also said the Pan Borneo Highway had long been awaited for by the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“In Peninsular Malaysia, we have the North-South Highway, but it is unfair for the people of Sabah and Sarawak. Never mind, let the person make the North-South Highway for Peninsular. I will make for Sabah and Sarawak. So wait for me. This will be the most expensive,” he said.
He said toll charges would not be charged at the Pan Borneo Highway, and the federal government would be spending RM30 billion for the two states.
“The Barisan Nasional government will deliver to the people of Sabah and Sarawak. What I promise, I will deliver. It is now up to you ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to help me, do help me when the time comes,” he said.
He reminded that the present government will continue to bring development to Sabah.
“Kita tak main buyuk (We don’t lie), unlike other people who only make promises when they are no longer in power. But when they were in power, they did not do it,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said the Barisan Nasional government would do for Sabah based on the mandate given by the people of Sabah to the government.
“We will not waste it,” he said.
Also present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, Deputy Chief Ministers Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Yahya Hussin, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh.