By Christopher Masuda, Strategic Communication Director Parti Warisan
KOTA KINABALU: The Federal and Sabah State Governments must review the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project, strengthen flood mitigation measures and provide a detailed breakdown of the RM18.7 billion allocation to Sabah, including the amount specifically earmarked for infrastructure development.
Pan Borneo must address flood risks – The Auditor-General’s Report has identified land acquisition, compensation and utility relocation as among the causes of delays in the Pan Borneo Highway project. These findings highlight the need for better coordination and implementation planning by the relevant agencies.
However, another issue requires attention: complaints by Sabahans that flash floods have worsened in certain areas, for instance Kampung Kolopis in Penampang, where residents have raised concerns about the impact of highway construction.
The Federal Government should commission a technical review to establish whether the highway’s construction, drainage design, river crossings or changes to natural drainage patterns have contributed to flooding in affected communities.
The assessment should examine drainage capacity, river flow, floodplain connectivity and cumulative environmental impact of development.
If the findings establish that the highway contributes to flooding, appropriate flood mitigation measures must be incorporated into both Pan Borneo Sabah packages.
These should include upgrading inadequate drainage systems, improving water flow and river crossings and restoring affected drainage channels where necessary.
Flood mitigation must be treated as an integral part of highway infrastructure, not as an afterthought once communities have suffered repeated flooding.
RM18.7 billion: Breakdown, transparency and implementation
The RM18.7 billion allocation to Sabah also requires greater public disclosure. The Federal and State Governments should publish a detailed breakdown identifying the projects covered, the amounts allocated to each sector, the implementing agencies, project locations, implementation periods and the status of expenditure.
How much of this allocation is specifically intended for infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, drainage, flood mitigation, water supply and sewerage?
Sabahans should be able to distinguish between approved allocations, actual expenditure and projects that have been completed or remain under implementation.
Both governments should establish an accessible online public dashboard providing project-level information, implementation progress, expenditure updates, procurement details and reasons for delays.
This would enable the public to monitor whether approved allocations are being translated into tangible improvements for Sabahans.
Environmental safeguards must also remain a priority. Environmental Impact Assessments and other applicable environmental approvals should be completed and enforced where required.
Development must not proceed at the expense of water catchment areas, that made of, secondary forests, wetlands and paddy fields that help regulate water flow. The risks of flooding, mudflow and landslides must be assessed through proper technical and environmental studies rather than assumptions alone.
Strengthen implementation readiness
The Pan Borneo delays should serve as a lesson for the Chief Minister and his Cabinet. Securing allocations is only one part of development – the State Government must also ensure that projects are ready for implementation and administrative bottlenecks are addressed before construction begins.
The State Government should clarify whether the Department of Lands and Surveys has sufficient personnel, resources and a clear timetable to manage land acquisition and compensation for upcoming infrastructure projects.
The Cabinet should also explain what measures have been prepared to accelerate the relocation of affected utilities, including electricity infrastructure, telecommunications networks and water supply facilities managed by the relevant agencies, including Sabah Electricity, Telekom Malaysia and the Sabah State Water Department (JANS).
Clear inter-agency coordination, agreed relocation schedules and regular progress reporting are essential to prevent the same problems from recurring across future projects.
Sabah needs more than development allocations. It needs effective implementation, transparent spending, proper environmental safeguards and infrastructure that protects communities. Both the Federal and State Governments must demonstrate that public funds are being translated into projects that are delivered on time, serve their intended purpose and do not expose Sabahans to avoidable environmental risks.
