KOTA KINABALU: Safety measures for elephants and other wildlife have been incorporated into the Sabah's Pan Borneo Highway construction plans, said state Works Minister Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya.
"It is in the process of design and value management. Safety features for wildlife that may use that part of the Pan Borneo Highway have been included," he said in response to a question from Datuk Jonnybone Kurum's (PBS-Telupid) at the Sabah state legislative assembly here.
Shahelmey, who is also the deputy chief minister, said Sabah's Pan Borneo Highway project comprises three phases, with the first phase divided into 35 packages under Phase 1A and Phase 1B, covering approximately 706km.
He said that in the first phase, four packages have been completed, 28 packages are under construction, two packages are undergoing acquisition finalisation, and one is awaiting the letter of agreement.
"Phase 1A is expected to be fully completed by October 2026, while Phase 1B by September 2028.
"For Phase 2, which involves the Tamparuli-Ranau road covering approximately 98km, and Phase 3, covering the Kimanis-Keningau-Kalabakan-Tawau road with a length of around 432km, are still in the planning stage.
"Its implementation depends on the approval and financial capacity of the government," he said.
Shahelmey said the land acquisition for Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Highway project costs RM2.53 billion, of which RM1.32 billion was spent for the process in Phase 1A and RM1.21 billion in Phase 1B.
One of the major challenges in the Pan Borneo Highway project is land acquisition, particularly involving native customary land, he said.
"Land owned by individuals or communities under Native Customary Rights (NCR) requires a longer process as it needs approval from the landowners and legal consent.
"Additionally, the lack of human resources in the Sabah Land and Survey Department for conducting valuations has also contributed to delays in the land acquisition process," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (nominated assemblyman).