Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd (LBU) awarded 11 work packages worth RM16.49 billion under phase one of the Pan Borneo Highway project.
Among the 20 firms that bagged construction work contracts are 11 listed firms from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Together with their joint-venture (JV) partners, these entities secured seven work packages worth RM10.02 billion. The remaining four packages, worth around RM6.47 billion, were clinched by privately-owned companies.
The public-listed companies and their JV partners are Hock Seng Lee Bhd-Dhaya Maju Infrastructurte (Asia) Sdn Bhd JV; Naim Holdings Bhd-Gamuda Bhd JV; Zecon Bhd-Kimlun Sdn Bhd JV; PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd)-Bina Puri Holdings Bhd JV; Musyati Sdn Bhd-Mudajaya Group Bhd JV; Endaya Construction Sdn Bhd-TRC Synergy Bhd-Pembinaan Kuantiti Sdn Bhd JV; and KKB Engineering Bhd-WCT Holdings Bhd JV.
The privately-owned companies that have been awarded with work contracts are Samling Resources Sdn Bhd, a member of the Miri-based conglomerate Samling group of companies; Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit Sdn Bhd (PPK); and Konsortium KPE Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between KACC Sdn Bhd and Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd.
Spanning a total length of 746km from southern Sarawak’s Telok Melano to Miri in the north, the 11 work packages will see the development of around 114 bridges, 17 interchanges, 57 pedestrian bridges, 595 bus shelters and other facilities.
Notably, 36 local sub-contractors have been appointed by the 11 main contractors to undertake construction works. LBU revealed that it aims to achieve a minimum of 30 percent bumiputra participation for the project.
Through their participation, the highway project delivery partner hopes to raise Sarawak bumiputra contractors’ standard via exposure to different road and civil works as well as the use of the latest tools and technology.
Meanwhile, the remaining eight work packages in Miri were launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sunday (18 December).
With the entire project set for completion by 2022, earthworks and site clearing works of all the packages are presently in progress. The relevant authorities are also carrying out the acquisition of private land affected by the highway project.
The project’s phase two will cover Limbang Division within the northern part of Sarawak, bordering Sabah. It has been reported that road construction under this phase will cover 102km from Sabah to Sungai Tujoh in Miri Division, bordering Brunei.
Mangalesri Chandrasekaran, Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email mangales@propertyguru.com.my
