THE Federal Government has finalised four packages of the RM7.4bil Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) Phase Two project and approved the expansion of two airports in both states under Budget 2025.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said for SSLR, two packages have been awarded and two others are expected to be awarded by year-end.
For the airport extensions, a total of RM253mil is being allocated for the Tawau Airport in Sabah and Miri Airport in Sarawak, he said.
These are among those listed under the Budget as the government works towards improving infrastructure and economic development in Sabah and Sarawak.
In his speech, Anwar mentioned that to date, letters of acceptance have been issued to 17 packages, with a total contract value of RM9.7bil, for Phase 1B of the Sabah Pan Borneo Project.
“This includes the route from Kota Belud to Kudat, Tawau to Kampung Lot M and Telupid to Ranau,” he said, adding that the stretch of the road in Sarawak is scheduled for completion by the end of next month.
Overall, a total of RM25.1bil had been utilised for the Sabah and Sarawak Pan Borneo project thus far, Anwar said.
Earlier, he said the Federal Government is committed to honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and there should not be any dispute on this matter.
“Sabah and Sarawak are given special attention. The development gap between both states must be addressed with basic infrastructure and facilities such as roads, electricity and clean water supply in place.
“Therefore, the development funds for Sabah and Sarawak continue to be given priority, with both states given the highest, at RM6.7bil and RM5.9bil respectively, compared to other states,” Anwar said.
The Federal Government is also planning to increase the special grant for Sabah to RM600mil in 2025, he added.
Other developments done and planned for the state include the expansion of mobile community services, improvement in rural economy such as seafood drying technology in Semporna, flight ticket subsidy for underprivileged students and flood mitigation in Likas, Kota Kinabalu.
In addition, Sabah will also see the development of renewable energy, special income tax offers for specific industries and an increase in ceiling price assistance for new construction costs or relocation of fishermen’s homes.
The state will also get a new school – SMK Lok Kawi in Putatan – next year.
