Will toll be imposed on Pan-Borneo Highway?
Stephen Wong Tien FattPublished: Nov 7, 2014 10:46 AM | Updated: Nov 7, 2014 10:50 AM
Despite many BN ministers and representatives having promised that there will be no toll to be imposed on the proposed Pan-Borneo Highway and it is fully under government expenses, there is still a possibility that government intends to impose toll on this mega project which costs about RM27 billion.
In accordance with the Public Works Ministry’s reply to the MP for Sandakan’s question during the policy stage winding-up speech on Budget 2015 in Parliament, its minister Fadillah Yusof said he cannot guarantee that no toll will be imposed on the Pan-Borneo Highway in Sabah as the government is still studying the implementation method.
This clearly shows the inconsistent stance from Barisan Nasional government. Why did the ministers initially say it will be a toll-free highway but eventually the works minister cannot guarantee it at all? It shows how irresponsible the ministers and BN leaders are.
It was reported that the contract will be awarded to UEM-MMC consortium by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). One of the mechanisms to earn back revenue is by collecting toll on the highway. It is just like what is happening in peninsular Malaysia in cases such as the North-South Expressways and other highways.
The quality of the highway which will be built in Sabah is also questionable. It has been allegedly reported that some roads in Lawas, Sarawak are much wider and of better quality than the roads in Sabah. The government is urgedto reveal all the information about this highway including its quality, size, amount of allocation, etc to the public.
The contract must be awarded to local firms to help the locals’ economy. It is about equal opportunity. The project portion in Sabah should be given priority to locals by open tender, let the capable local firm to take part in the project. The direct negotiated tender is another form of rent-seeking method which had proven no effectiveness and might cause corruption.
Since the minister cannot guarantee that no toll would be imposed on Sabah’s Pan-Borneo Highway, then all Sabahans should be united on this cause and tell the government we do not want toll! Sabah Chief Minister of Sabah Musa Aman should learn from his counterpart Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem and show his guts and rejects any toll proposal by the federal government which is unfair to Sabah.
The state assembly which will be sitting from this coming Monday for the state budget 2015 should discuss this important issue and reach a consensus that no toll will be imposed on the Pan-Borneo Highway.
STEPHEN WONG TIEN FATT is Sabah DAP deputy chairperson-cum-MP for Sandakan.
In accordance with the Public Works Ministry’s reply to the MP for Sandakan’s question during the policy stage winding-up speech on Budget 2015 in Parliament, its minister Fadillah Yusof said he cannot guarantee that no toll will be imposed on the Pan-Borneo Highway in Sabah as the government is still studying the implementation method.
This clearly shows the inconsistent stance from Barisan Nasional government. Why did the ministers initially say it will be a toll-free highway but eventually the works minister cannot guarantee it at all? It shows how irresponsible the ministers and BN leaders are.
It was reported that the contract will be awarded to UEM-MMC consortium by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). One of the mechanisms to earn back revenue is by collecting toll on the highway. It is just like what is happening in peninsular Malaysia in cases such as the North-South Expressways and other highways.
The quality of the highway which will be built in Sabah is also questionable. It has been allegedly reported that some roads in Lawas, Sarawak are much wider and of better quality than the roads in Sabah. The government is urgedto reveal all the information about this highway including its quality, size, amount of allocation, etc to the public.
The contract must be awarded to local firms to help the locals’ economy. It is about equal opportunity. The project portion in Sabah should be given priority to locals by open tender, let the capable local firm to take part in the project. The direct negotiated tender is another form of rent-seeking method which had proven no effectiveness and might cause corruption.
Since the minister cannot guarantee that no toll would be imposed on Sabah’s Pan-Borneo Highway, then all Sabahans should be united on this cause and tell the government we do not want toll! Sabah Chief Minister of Sabah Musa Aman should learn from his counterpart Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem and show his guts and rejects any toll proposal by the federal government which is unfair to Sabah.
The state assembly which will be sitting from this coming Monday for the state budget 2015 should discuss this important issue and reach a consensus that no toll will be imposed on the Pan-Borneo Highway.
STEPHEN WONG TIEN FATT is Sabah DAP deputy chairperson-cum-MP for Sandakan.
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