BEAUFORT: The Ministry of Works needs to take firmer action against the contractor responsible for Package Work 02 of the Pan Borneo Highway project which has been delayed and classified as a “sick project.”Lumadan Assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam said the issue caused difficulties for road users, particularly local residents, along the stretch from Kampung Bukau, Lumadan to Padas Valley.
He said the project is meant for the people and public welfare should be prioritised.
“Currently, JKR is reviewing several matters that need to be taken into account before any action is taken, and we leave it to JKR to take appropriate steps.
“As an elected representative, I am merely voicing the concerns of the people who want the existing damaged and potholed roads to be resurfaced or repaired,” he said during the Briefing on the Progress of Package Work 02 of the Pan Borneo Highway at the Beaufort JKR Divisional Office, here, Tuesday.
Ruslan said he has several proposals for short-term solutions while waiting for the long-standing issues involving the project to be resolved.
The Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry said among the proposals is to repair the existing road from Kampung Padas Valley to the Kampung Lumadan junction.
“This is necessary as the new route under Package Work 02 along that stretch is still under construction and is expected to take longer to complete as it has been classified as a ‘sick project’.
“Based on the current progress, it may not be completed even within a year. Therefore, the existing route or the original JKR road, which is currently damaged, needs to be repaired to facilitate road users.
“Meanwhile, the project on the left-side route currently under construction from the Lumadan junction to the Tamalang Along 1 junction should be paved according to the stipulated schedule, no later than February.
“A diversion road also needs to be constructed at Tamalang Along 3, connecting to Tamalang Along 1, to avoid the existing route which is not only damaged but also frequently flooded during heavy rain, making it difficult for vehicles to pass,” he said.
Ruslan said the situation occurred due to the absence of a drainage system along the new route, which was built higher than the original road, thereby posing a danger to road users.
As such, he proposed that the contractor construct drainage along the affected stretch to address the problem of water pooling on the road.
