Field work for Kalimantan road link underway: DCM
Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025
By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Shahelmey also confirmed that another proposed cross-border route linking Pekan Pagalungan and Pekan Sempadan Bantul in Pensiangan has been approved under the Rural Road Programme (JALB) funded by the Federal Government through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and is currently in the procurement stage. Kota Kinabalu: Field work, including land surveying, utility mapping and land investigation, is currently being carried out for the construction of a road connecting Sabah and Kalimantan in Indonesia, said Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. He said the project involves a specific alignment, namely the construction of a new road spanning 28km from Kalabakan, Sabah, to the Malaysia-Indonesia border at Simanggaris, with an additional 20km spur road to Kampung Serudong Laut. 'The Federal Government, through the Works Ministry, has approved the Preliminary Study and Design under Rolling Plan 3 of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RP3, RMK-12),' he said in response to an oral question from Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (GRS-Sindumin). Shahelmey also confirmed that another proposed cross-border route linking Pekan Pagalungan and Pekan Sempadan Bantul in Pensiangan has been approved under the Rural Road Programme (JALB) funded by the Federal Government through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and is currently in the procurement stage. In a supplementary question, Yusof noted that the border between Sabah and Kalimantan is long and highlighted the need for additional road connections, especially considering Indonesia's capital relocation to Nusantara, which is expected to boost regional population and trade flows. He proposed the construction of a road linking Sipitang to Long Pasia and into North Kalimantan through the Heart of Borneo, citing the area's rich natural resources and proximity to the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) port, which could be a strategic gateway for goods from Kalimantan. 'This route could offer a more economical option to transport resources from North Kalimantan to Sipitang, which is about 500km from Tarakan and 700km from Pontianak,' Yusof said, suggesting that the Government consider making the Heart of Borneo a new development corridor. In response, Shahelmey said the proposed Kalabakan-Simanggaris alignment was prioritised based on current connectivity needs, but acknowledged the strategic value of a route from Sipitang to Long Pasia and beyond. He said such proposals could potentially be incorporated into the broader Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) plan, which is currently active in Sarawak but has yet to begin in Sabah. 'We take note of the suggestion and will consider it in our planning for future road development in the State,' Shahelmey said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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