Committee to monitor Pan Borneo Highway project

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 5): A committee will be established to monitor the Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1B Work Package implementation in Sabah.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this following visits to several of the project’s construction sites, as he opined that the implementation requires tighter monitoring through coordination meetings.

Hence, he had discussed with Sabah Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya so that a committee will be established to monitor as well as improve the project’s implementation to avoid any delay or problem.

“In our experience in Sarawak, with such a committee, it is easier for us to monitor what goes on at the construction sites or what problems the contractors are facing.

“So for me, I think this committee should be established in Sabah. I will leave it up to the Sabah Works Minister and the ministry’s secretary-general to coordinate this,” he said.

Alexander said this after presenting Letters of Acceptance (SST) to 13 contractors for LPB Sabah Phase 1B at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Friday.

Phase 1B of the project was broken into 19 of the total 35 work packages for LPB Sabah phase one, of which the scope involves the construction of a new federal road from Kota Belud to Kudat as well as improvements for the 370-kilometre federal road from Ranau to Lahad Datu.

The construction for this Phase 1B work package is expected to take between 36 to 48 months, with the development costs fully funded by the Federal Government with a RM13.989 billion total allocation.

The Phase 1B work package will be implemented as follows – North West alignment: Work Package 11 -14 (Kota Belud to Kudat); South East alignment: Work Package 16 – 20 (Tawau to Lahad Datu); North East alignment: Work Package 22 – 26 (Lahad Datu to Sandakan); and Central alignment: Work Package 31 – 35 (Telupid to Ranau).

Meanwhile, Alexander reminded the 13 LPB Phase 1B contractors, who were selected after a screening process and strict assessment, to carry out their works with professionalism, integrity and ethics.

He said the consultants and project managers must closely monitor the works to ensure that every job specification is followed and work reports submitted according to format and payments are made on time.

“The presentation of SST to these 13 contractors is proof of the government’s commitment to ensure continuity and smoothness of the LPB Sabah Phase 1 project, in order to drive the national economy and boost the development of contractors, especially construction contractors.

“I hope that all appointed contractors will give emphasis to the aspects of quality in their works, especially in terms of compliance with standard specifications, costs and set time, as well as prioritising safety at the workplace.

“The Works Ministry (KKR) through the Sabah Works Ministry (JKR) will monitor the quality of their works and evaluate the performance of each contractor to ensure that the safety and comfort of users are always prioritised,” he said.

The LPB Sabah Phase 1 project spans 706 kilometres (km) and is divided into two phases comprising the aforementioned 35 work packages.

Phase 1A consists of 16 work packages covering 336km with a RM10.849 billion development cost, while Phase 1B contains 19 work packages along a 370-km stretch costing RM13.989 billion for development.

Phase 1A commenced in 2016 and has now reached 78 percent completion. It is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.

Also present were Shahelmey as well as his assistant minister Datuk Limus Jury and Datuk Robert Tawik.