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KUALA LUMPUR – The construction of Phase 2 of the Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) in Sarawak from Limbang to Lawas will resume this year and is expected to be completed in 2028, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
He said the government was committed to completing the project with the objective of facilitating travel between the two areas without passing Brunei.
The cabinet had agreed in principle to its implementation during a meeting on March 4, he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (Igan-GPS), who asked for an update on Phase 2’s construction, which was cancelled by the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had previously given his assurance that he would find a way to resume the construction of Phase 2 of the LPB project from Limbang to Lawas.
During the prime minister’s visit to Brunei on February 14 and 15, he said the government had agreed to approve several high-impact projects, including the Trans-Borneo Highway covering Phase 2 of Sarawak’s portion of the LPB and Phase 2 of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road project.
On the work progress of Phase 1 of the LPB project in Sarawak involving a 786km stretch, Arthur said it was 78% completed as of last January.
He said several packages in the project would experience a slight delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and were expected to be completed next year.
“The ministry together with the Sarawak Public Works Department will observe the progress of the project and implement various mitigation plans, including realigning the construction schedule and extensions of time, to ensure that construction goes on smoothly,” he said.
Arthur said the ministry would also conduct regular visits and engagement sessions with the contractors and consultants involved to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation plans and ensure the smooth implementation of the project. – Bernama, March 7, 2022