By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, March 21: As long as the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway project is not delayed, the state government would not mind the federal government scraping the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) model.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it is up to the federal government as it is a federal project.
“What happened is the federal government wanted to restructure. They are not using the PDP arrangement anymore. It is up to the federal government because it is a federal project.
“But what we are concerned about is we hope it doesn’t delay the project. That’s all. That is a federal government project,” he told reporters after witnessing a contract signing ceremony between Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad this afternoon.
The Edge earlier today reported that the federal government has decided to ditch the PDP model for the entire RM29 billion Pan Borneo Highway project in favour of the turnkey contractor model.
Deputy Works Minister Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir confirmed this, but said the cabinet would only decide by the end of this month.
“By end of March, Cabinet will make a decision related to Pan Borneo (highway). So until the decision is announced, all speculations remain a speculation, I cannot and don’t have the right to say anything ahead of the Cabinet.
“So it is just a few days away to end of this month, by end of March, a firm decision will be made.
“We will continue on whatever negotiation we are having now; our country requires negotiation, between the federal government, represented by the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Finance, and the state governments (Sarawak and Sabah). So we will negotiate until we achieve a win-win solution for all parties, including the people.
“I personally cannot express my view on this project because as a government we have to come out with a collective decision, especially a government (that) is formed under a coalition,” he told The Edge. — DayakDaily
