SIPITANG: Technical issues, especially design changes, have been identified as key factors delaying the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway WP01 (Sindumin-Melalia) and WP02 (Melalia-Beaufort).
This matter was highlighted during a briefing on the implementation of the project at the Sipitang District Council Multipurpose Hall last Saturday, which was attended by stakeholders from the Public Works Department (JKR), the implementing contractors and community leaders.
AdvertisementDuring the briefing, Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob called on the main consultant appointed by the Works Ministry in Kuala Lumpur to complete the design quickly to enable contractors to complete the project.
He said that the consultant who is designing the project was not appointed by the contractor, and it is a conventional project, meaning the consultant was appointed by the ministry in Kuala Lumpur.
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“If only relying on Google, it is not accurate, and there were issues that were not observed and only seen from the outside. That is why the project has not been completed,” he told the media after the briefing.
AdvertisementDr Yusof also said that public misunderstanding regarding the project delay has caused him, as an elected representative, to be a target.
“When I say that it is not entirely the fault of the contractor, the people get angry at me, as if I’m siding siding with the contractor.
Advertisement“We must understand the real issue. The contractor from Sipitang also wants the project to be completed quickly, and as a representative, I listen to the people’s complaints and urge the contractor to expedite the work.
“But without the design, a complete design which is appropriate to the situation, and without instructions to proceed, the contractor cannot carry out the work. So, I appeal to the consultant to speed up the process,” he said.
At the same time, Dr. Yusof, who is also Qhazanah Sabah Berhad Chairman, suggested that the Works Ministry in Kuala Lumpur pay the contractor’s claims according to the work progress.
“How can a major contractor continue operations without receiving payments amounting to hundreds of millions? Therefore, I urge KKR in Kuala Lumpur to promptly settle any approved claims from the contractor,” he said.
He also said that coordination between the relevant departments, particularly Sabah Electricity, Sabah Water Department, and telecommunication companies, should be streamlined to ensure that they all contribute to speeding up the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway.
According to him, during the upcoming district action meeting, the relevant departments and agencies would be called together to resolve this coordination issue.
Regarding the briefing programme, Dr. Yusof said it was conducted in a harmonious atmosphere, allowing the all parties, including the contractor, to provide explanations regarding the project delay.
Meanwhile, he also called on the contractor and JKR to ensure that public complaints, especially from road users concerning the safety of the road, are prioritised.
He said that major intersections should have signboards, speed limit signs should be installed, and road damages should be repaired immediately, especially potholes, which should be quickly filled, and stagnant water should be drained promptly.
