SANDAKAN: Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (
pic) on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the poor maintenance of the road from Telupid to Sandakan, saying it had caused great inconvenience to the people.
He said that although the road formed part of the Pan Borneo Highway project, the contractor was still responsible for its maintenance, as stipulated in the contract.
“Under the contract, they (the contractor) are required to maintain the road in areas where the highway is under construction and ensure it remains in good condition, not in its current poor state.
“Yesterday evening, I travelled along the road in Work Package 29 from Moynod to Sapi Nangoh. I was disappointed and upset to see its condition. It’s causing inconvenience to the people. This project should make life easier for the people, not cause them distress,” he said.
He said this to reporters after inspecting the progress of the Naval Region 2 Headquarters (MAWILLA 2) jetty construction project here today.
Ahmad also shared that during his trip to Sandakan yesterday, his bodyguards had recorded four videos showing the damaged road conditions, which were later forwarded to the Works Ministry’s top management.
He said three stretches along the route had drawn public complaints due to poor maintenance, namely, Jalan Sandakan Batu 32-Moynod (WP28), Jalan Moynod-Sapi Nangoh (WP29), and Jalan Sapi Nangoh-Sungai Baoto (WP30).
Ahmad said he had instructed the Public Works Department to conduct regular site visits to monitor the progress of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Phase 1A project and observe the difficulties faced by road users, with verbal or written warnings to be issued to the contractors involved when necessary.
He stressed that the Works Ministry could appoint a third party to carry out maintenance on damaged roads caused by the construction of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Phase 1A if the contractor failed to do so, with the cost to be deducted from the contract value.
“For example, if the cost of repairs is RM5 million and the main contractor was awarded a RM300 million contract, the contractor would only receive RM295 million, while RM5 million would be paid to the third party,” he said.
Ahmad added that the contract contained clauses on scheduled maintenance, protection of existing infrastructure, temporary diversions, traffic signage and safety measures.
