SELANGAU: The 27km Selangau stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway is now officially open to the public.
The project, which started on Nov 1, 2016 at a total cost of RM588 million, is one of the two sections under Work Package 08, Sungai Kua Bridge to Sungai Arip Bridge.
Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the project is proof of the federal government’s commitment in developing the existing road network in a planned, systematic and efficient way.
“It was mentioned earlier that this project was under Pan Borneo Phase 2 but was cancelled by Pakatan Harapan (PH) when Barisan Nasional (BN) lost in GE14 and this included four coastal highway bridges. Alhamdulillah, now I am able to finance the project.
“This clearly shows that in terms of commitment to look after Sarawak, there is no comparison with the BN government. We are the ones who look after the interests of the the state, not other parties like PH.
“Another cancelled project has been approved by the cabinet for us to resume which is the Limbang-Lawas project through the Trans Borneo project. We have approved. We will continue this project. Likewise, with the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road project,” he said.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, meanwhile, said the completion of the road will help the economy as well as connectivity among the people.
“Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (caretaker Senior Works Minister) mentioned that the road (Pan Borneo Highway) is almost completed, but actually if Pakatan Harapan (PH) did not stop the construction during the 22 months they were in power, this road should have be completed earlier,” he said.
The Premier urged the people to learn from the experience of the 22-month PH administration.
“That is why the people must support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the general election (GE15).
“We in Sarawak must take care of Sarawak, and we need to work together with the federal government to develop our state,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcoming remarks, Fadillah said the upgrading works from a one two-way lane to two two-way lanes will help ease the flow of traffic between Sibu and Bintulu.
“The residents along the line namely Sibu, Selangau, Mukah, and Balingian will also benefit from a better, comfortable and safer road infrastructure as a result of the construction of this road,” he said in his welcoming speech during the launching ceremony of the new road section today (Nov 14).
On the update of the first phase of Sarawak’s Pan Borneo Highway, Fadillah noted that the more than 786km across the island of Borneo is almost complete.
