‘We will take over project’

Going high-tech: (From left) Tan, Bian and Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan at the launch of the Pan-Borneo Dashboard application system in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: The Works Ministry will take over the Pan-Borneo highway project by Septem­ber once matters relating to the termination of the project deli­very partner (PDP) is sorted out, says its minister Baru Bian.

He said the payments for the project up to where it has been done will be paid accordingly once the takeover is seen through.

“The Sabah government will be in charge of the supervision and implementation of the project,” he said during the launch of the Pan-Borneo Dashboard application system here yesterday.

He said that the remaining 20 work packages for the Pan-Borneo project in Sabah would only be carried out in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“The Finance Minister would want to see the 20 work packages rolled out in 11MP, but they do not have the funds.

“So it has to be done after 11MP,” he added.

On villagers who are affected by the project, he said they should be getting their compensation without any problem if the amount and other relevant matters are agreed upon.

“However, those who have yet to get their compensation according to the time frame can come directly to me to enquire,” he said.

Bian said there should not be a problem with compensation if both parties can agree on the amount proposed.

Funds from the Finance Ministry will be channelled to state governments before they are released to contractors.

Contractors are in charge of paying the compensation to those whose land is affected by the highway project.

Many villagers are, however, complaining that they have yet to get their compensation and are ha­­ving trouble rebuilding houses as their lands have already been taken over.

Earlier, Bian said the Pan-Borneo Dashboard introduced by a concessionaire of the project – Pembinaan Kekal Mewah Sdn Bhd – is a web ap­­plication where agencies in­­volved would be able to monitor the progress of the project on real-time basis without having to be physically present at the site.

“This will save us time and improve work competency,” he added.

Kekal Mewah group director Jeremy Tan said the initiative to introduce this application is to make work more transparent and efficient.

Tan said a public feedback forum via the application will be available by mid-July.