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THE State Government has acknowledged public concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, following complaints of flooding, land clearing and disruptions to basic utilities in several areas.

Shahelmey said such feedback is taken “very seriously” and affirmed that authorities are addressing issues related to construction mishaps and their consequences.

“It’s true that in some cases, unexpected issues have occurred, such as disruptions to water supplies or power cuts, which were occasionally caused by contractor mistakes,” he said, adding that all contractors are bound by regulations designed to minimise such impacts.

According to him, collaborative efforts are ongoing with relevant authorities and site supervision teams to swiftly resolve any disruptions faced by the public.

Flooding, he said, cannot be solely attributed to the highway project, as land development and weather also play a role in surface runoff and drainage failures.

“Although land clearing related to the project can contribute to runoff in some areas, other factors, such as surrounding land development and weather conditions, also play a significant role,” he said.

He explained that the Pan Borneo project includes upgrades to existing drainage infrastructure, such as culverts and river channels, aimed at improving water flow and mitigating future floods.

“In fact, as part of the Pan Borneo initiative, we’re also addressing existing drainage issues by upgrading culverts and improving river flow, which should help reduce flooding over time,” he said.

On the Tawau segment of the highway, which passes through a forest reserve known to be a habitat for elephants and other wildlife, Shahelmey acknowledged the environmental concerns raised by conservationists and residents.

“The concerns about the environmental impact, particularly on wildlife such as elephants, are taken seriously,” he said.

He stressed that the government is working closely with environmental and wildlife experts to reduce the ecological impact, including through the construction of designated wildlife crossings.

“Mitigation measures, including wildlife corridors and crossings, are being constructed to safeguard the habitat and reduce the risk of poaching,” he said.

He clarified that the decision to proceed with the current alignment was made after detailed technical and environmental evaluations to ensure the route chosen had the least impact while remaining financially and logistically viable.

“This route was selected based on a balance of environmental, technical, and economic considerations, and was deemed to have the least overall impact while remaining viable within cost and engineering constraints,” he said.