KUALA LUMPUR – The government is scrutinising several proposals to speed up the implementation of the remainder of phase one of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway (LPB), covering 19 work packages.
Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said they included considering the implementation of the Private Finance Initiative and financing through the issuance of sukuk/bonds by DanaInfra Nasional Berhad.
“However, whatever method of implementation is used will depend on further scrutiny by the central agency and the financial capability of the current government,” he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level at the Dewan Rakyat today.
A total of 35 work packages have been designed to be implemented in phase one of the Sabah LPB project, covering 706 kilometres.
He said the Sabah and Sarawak LPB project, spanning 1,492km, is a federal initiative aimed at improving road infrastructure.
Fadillah said phase one of the Sarawak LPB worth RM16.117 billion involved 11 work packages spanning 786 kilometres from Telok Melano to Miri.
“To date, one work package from Telok Melano to Semantan was completed in January 2019 while another 10 work packages from Semantan to Miri are being carried out, with construction progress at 73% as of October 2021. It is expected to be ready by the end of 2022,” he said.
On phase three of the East Coast Highway (LPT3), he said the Works Ministry is implementing initial work with an allocation of RM35 million to finalise the LPT3 alignment and cost.
“As of September, the progress report on initial work was 87%. Findings from the initial work on LPT3 are expected to be tabled to the central agency in April 2022 to determine the implementation direction of LPT3,” he said. – Bernama, November 15, 2021
