By Nur Ashikin Louis, Christopher Lidom and Christopher Bishop
KUCHING, 7 Aug: The Pan Borneo Highway project worth RM16.1 billion, launched in March 2015, is now at 85 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of 2023.
This was announced by Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during the closing ceremony of the State-level Malaysian Family Aspiration Tour 2022 held at Dataran Perayaan Petra Jaya today.
He also said the Federal government would continue Phase 2 of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Project, connecting Miri to Limbang and Lawas without passing through Brunei.
“This SSLR Phase 2 project from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng in Lawas will connect Mulu to Long Merarap for a distance of 326km at the cost of RM7.68 billion,” he said.
He further said the government would improve the existing road network between Miri to Limbang and Lawas via Brunei under the Trans Borneo Highway Project (LTB), involving upgrading works along 96.351km for three years at the cost of RM2.93 billion.
“This will be a catalyst for local socio-economic development as the Pan Borneo Highway begins to have a positive impact and economic spillover for those who operate at Pasar Tamu Simpang Bekenu,” he added.
At the same time, Ismail Sabri said under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Federal government has set a target of zero hardcore poverty by 2025 through the Malaysian Family Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme (BMTKM), which also involves Sarawak.
“The first phase of BMTKM in Sarawak involves four localities namely Gedong, Kampung Seberang Sebuyau, Kampung Spaoh and Pakan.
“In addition to BMTKM, 867,967 in Sarawak have received benefits through the Malaysian Family Assistance (BKM) initiative involving an allocation of RM745 million. This proves the Government’s concern for the Malaysian Family in this State,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
