KUALA LUMPUR: Sipitang member of Parliament Datuk Matbali Musah, expressed his disappointment over the ongoing progress of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah, which he views as ‘never-ending’.
He likened the delays in the project’s implementation to a story of waiting, stating that the highway should be a driving force for progress in Sabah.
“However, today it has become a tale of waiting; it is never completed, stuck here and there, with patches on potholes, like an old wound that is only dusted with powder, not treated until healed.
“Some packages have been awarded but have not progressed, some have started but are not finished, and more sadly, there are packages that have not even been awarded, as if time in Sabah moves slower than the ticking of a clock elsewhere,” he said.
Matbali made these remarks while debating the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
As a comparison, he noted that the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sarawak, which started in the same year, is now more or less completed, particularly the road from Teluk Melano to Lawas, which has become a source of pride for the people of that neighboring state.
“Therefore, as the MP for Sipitang, I would like to seek a specific explanation regarding the current status in my area, namely the Sipitang–Beaufort stretch, involving WP01 Sindumin–Melalia and WP02 Melalia–Beaufort, which is vital for the daily lives of the people I represent,” he said.
As expected, Matbali also raised the issue of frequent flooding, especially in the Beaufort district.
He mentioned that last year alone, six major incidents were recorded, involving thousands of residents who had to be evacuated.
“Therefore, flood disaster management must be prioritized, starting with improvements in internet access at both Permanent and Temporary Evacuation Centers, as well as ensuring that villagers have adequate access routes to these centers.
“The issue of insufficient vehicles for victim registration outside the Evacuation Centers, along with a lack of volunteers, also burdens disaster management, and this matter should be taken seriously by the authorities,” he stated.
Matbali also expressed hope that stable-speed WiFi facilities could be provided through upgrades to the telecommunications towers of Maxis, Celcom, and other operators, so that communication remains intact during disasters
