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KOTA KINABALU – The skytrain proposal mooted by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has entered its exploration phase.
It followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between four firms, including state investment arm Qhazanah Sabah Bhd’s subsidiary WHSB Ventures Sdn Bhd.
The interested companies comprise Vizione Construction Sdn Bhd, Sycal Skycity Sdn Bhd, and Guangcai China (M) Sdn Bhd.
The event today was witnessed by Bung, who is also state works minister.
Aside from the exploration of the skytrain project, the MoU includes the construction of Jesselton New City, a mixed development project.
The proposed construction plan for the skytrain involves building an overhead rail track stretching from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
The first phase is a 10.5km track linking KKIA and the city centre worth RM1 billion, with funding coming from investors.
This would be followed by a 15km track linking the Jesselton Central Terminal to the Alam Mesra commercial-residential area.
Meanwhile, Jesselton New City will be built in Tg Lipat, Likas, on a 16-acre (6.5ha) parcel of land. It will also include the construction of a theme park worth RM5 billion.
“The project has been planned for several years via meetings with interested parties from Hong Kong and China,” Bung said.
“Chinese investors will be investing in the skytrain and theme park, which I think is good for the future of Sabah, and can be a game changer for the Sabah economy,” he added.
He said reclamation works will be minimal, and will go through the required environmental impact assessments.
Bung said a ground-breaking ceremony is currently being planned for February next year. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
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