Pan Borneo Highway my legacy: PM
Published on: Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Lahad Datu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Barisan Nasional government is committed to implementing its development agenda for the sake of the country and the people.He said the decline of oil prices in the world market would not stop Malaysia from continuing its large-scale projects, including the Pan Borneo Highway project.He said the project involving 1,236km would be fully completed as promised because the government appreciates the support of the people in Sabah to the current government.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The first phase of this project involves 706 km at a cost of RM12.85 billion while additional funds for the second and third phases will be allocated later."The project is being implemented because we want major changes brought to Sabah and the country.With the completion of this highway, movement will be easier and, thus, economic growth will intensify," he said, at the Pan Borneo Sabah (Lahad Datu Bypass) launching ceremony at SMK Sepagaya, here, Monday.Najib also hoped that the Pan Borneo Highway project would become his legacy and the people would always remember him for making it possible.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said the project would cut travel time and save time as well as stimulate industries in the district."I don't want to mention other eras, I want the people of Sabah to know that this Pan Borneo is an effort under my administration for the people of Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We look at the outcome when it is completed in 2021 or 2022, imagine the future of the people of Sabah, this surely will change Sabah," he said.The RM165 million Pan Borneo Highway Project by-pass in Lahad Datu which is expected to be completed in 2018 started at the Seventh Mile Jalan Silam in Lahad Datu until the Third Mile, Jalan Segama, encompassing a distance of seven kilometres.The project being implemented would entail the construction of a new four-lane dual carriageaway which is set to shorten the distance and travel time of the residents from Tawau to Sandakan, or vice versa, from 17km to seven kilometres.Among others, the constructions would involve two-tiered interchanges and a new 32-metre bridge across Sungai Sepagaya which also took into account seismic (activities) or earthquakes.Meanwhile, Najib said the Pan Borneo Highway project must be given not only to big companies but to companies belonging to the people of Sabah and Sarawak."I was in Miri, Sarawak yesterday. A total of 12 packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project have been distributed to companies controlled by locals in Sarawak, meaning we have fulfilled our promise."We give to small contractors and we urged the main contractors to pay their sub-contractors, don't bully them. We want surveyors and others to (also) get this project, don't be greedy and grab all, we share," he said. He said all the national development projects meant for the people were due to the commitment of the current Barisan Nasional government."We guarantee that as long as the people support Barisan Nasional, this project will be completed," he said, adding that the project will bring job opportunities to local youths.Meanwhile, Najib reminded the people not to be easily swayed by the sentiments played by certain breakaway parties who only want to incite and confuse the people.He said the people should not waste their time listening to their provocations because the people want a government that can help and bring them towards a better future.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
