First phase of Pan Borneo Highway must be finished by year-end: Works Ministry

MIRI – The first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway project, spanning 1,000km from Kuching to here, must be completed by year’s end, said the Works Ministry.

After a site inspection in Bintulu, Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the deadline is achievable, but four sections of the project have seen serious delays.

The Sarawak Public Communications Unit quoted Fadillah today as saying that the four affected work packages are along the Sarikei route, Sri Aman, Betong, and Sibu.

“I have asked the Public Works Department to look into these sections affected by the delays. The target is to get the Sarawak Pan Borneo project’s first phase completed by the end of this year.

“So far, 78% of the first phase has been completed.”

He said issues include site contractors being burdened by the rising costs of raw materials and delay in supplies.

The state’s PWD has been told to liaise with these contractors to resolve the issues.

The highway’s second phase is in the north along the Sarawak-Sabah route. – The Vibes, February 23, 2022