KOTA KINABALU: The delay in the Pan Borneo Highway project was due to a change in implementation from the project delivery partner (PDP) to the conventional method, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Shahelmey, who is also state Works Minister, said the changes were due to the Sabah government's decision in 2019, recommending that the federal government terminate the PDP and its agreement.
"However, I am glad to announce that work package (WP) 21 has been completed and opened to the public in 2023," he said in a statement, in response to a viral video showing Kota Belud member of parliament Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis questioning Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi during the parliamentary special chamber session on March 21, 2024.
Isnaraissah raised the question regarding the 2019 Auditor General's Report on the Implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway Project WP21 in Lahad Datu by the PDP before it was taken over by the government at the end of 2019.
"When the government took over the Pan Borneo Highway project, the Finance Ministry had instructed the Works Ministry to reappoint contractors and consultants who had been appointed by the PDP before," he said.
He said the Sabah government was committed to implementing and completing the Pan Borneo Highway Project.
"The Sabah government has also tried to continue the remaining 20 packages, for which work had not yet started.
"We are grateful, as a result of the hard work and insistence of the Sabah government, the federal government has approved the implementation of the remaining 20 WPs in 2023," he added.
He said the Sabah government through the state Public Works Department had completed all the requirements for the reimplementation of all work packages.
"Design and tender documents are available and the value management lab process was completed by the end of October 2023," said Shahelmey.
As of March 22, 2024, he said four WPs, namely 12, 13, 14, and 16, have had contractors appointed for the project. Physical work will begin on April 1, 2024.
He added that the remaining 16 packages were in the procurement process and expected to be finalised by April 2024, with the physical works expected to start the following month.
