SERIAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today stressed that the government will find ways to ensure Phase 2 of the Pan Borneo Highway would continue after it was scrapped under the Pakatan Harapan administration.
Ismail Sabri said a detailed study on the project is ongoing for the construction of the highway between Limbang and Lawas, along with a missing link from the Kuala Baram junction to Sungai Tujoh CIQ in Miri.
The construction of Phase 2 of the highway was approved by the Federal government under Barisan Nasional (BN) but was scrapped following the change of government after the 2018 general election.
"My commitment, together with Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Sarawak caretaker Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg is that we will discuss how to proceed with Phase 2 of the Pan Borneo Highway and this missing link.
"We will not stop here, we will continue until all these projects are accomplished," he said in his speech during the launching ceremony of the Serian Work Three Package alignment of the Pan Borneo Highway here, today.
The 33.65km Serian alignment involves an upgrade to the federal road from Bulatan Serian to Balai Ringin at a cost of RM700 million.
Present were Abang Johari and Fadillah.
In his speech, Ismail Sabri also said that there should be no differences of opinion between federal and state governments, as it will hamper people-centric development projects and subsequently cause difficulties to the people.
"Any change of government, be it at federal or state level, will have a major impact on the people.
"Without close cooperation between federal and state governments, it will only trouble the people," he said.
Ismail Sabri added it was easy to develop Sarawak, due to his good relationship with Abang Johari.
"Just a phone call from Abang Jo (Abang Johari) on any delay of projects, and I will take note of it and speed up its implementation."
On the Pan Borneo Highway, Ismail Sabri said it was a result of careful and holistic planning between the federal and Sarawak government through the Highway Network Development Plan.
"The implementation of the project is proof of the federal government's commitment to developing the existing road network in a more planned, systematic and efficient manner. It is done to improve the relationship of Malaysian families in Sarawak.
"The situation can directly ensure that socio-economic development is implemented better and fully utilised by the people of Sarawak in line with the direction of the 12th Malaysia Plan," he said.