Pan Borneo Highway notices: Landowners advised to seek clarification
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025
By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Shahelmey listening to a briefing on the current progress of the Pan Borneo project in Ranau. RANAU: Residents or landowners who received notices regarding the Pan Borneo Highway construction project in their areas are asked not to panic, but to contact the authorities for further clarification. Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya advised those involved to contact the Lands and Surveys Department and the Public Works Department to obtain clarification. 'This process is going on actively, and we also ask the residents or landowners involved not to panic when receiving the notices,' he said this during his two-day working visit to Kundasang, Ranau and Pan Borneo WP33-WP35 on Sunday and Monday. The WP33 package involves Kg Lumou Baru to Kg Toupos (19.5km) and the WP34 package from Kg Toupos to Kg Nabutan (24.2km) while WP35 from Kg Nabutan to Ranau (26.5km). Shahelmey said about 51 notices had been issued to landowners in WP33 package, over 100 in WP34 package and WP35 package received the most number of notices. He added that the JKR and the implementing contractors are actively engaging with the villagers to explain the processes and steps taken in land acquisition process. 'We have divided the areas involved into two areas, namely areas that do not involve land acquisition, so the implementing contractor can conduct site surveys, site clearing and also construction of the alignment. 'While the areas that do involve land acquisition process, the process of handing out notices must be done first before we enter to carry out site surveys, site clearance and so on,' he said. Regarding the visit, he said, everything scheduled is going well, and hoped that the project would continue to run smoothly until completion. 'Today, I am with a delegation from the State Ministry of Works and the Sabah JKR to conduct a work visit to the construction site of three packages of the Sabah Pan Borneo highway, namely Packages WP35, WP34 and WP33. 'From the results of the site visit that was held from early morning until noon, we can see the progress of the work being carried out. 'Progress so far consists of preliminary work and site clearing that is being actively carried out in addition to the work of submitting notices to the premises or land involved,' he said. Shahelmey said this also involves cooperation in evaluating trees and plants for subsequent compensation. 'So looking at the current status, I feel confident that we can implement this project according to schedule. 'But what is important is to see cooperation from all parties, namely from the Public Works Department, consultants, implementing contractors and also related departments such as the Land and Survey Department, utilities and so on. 'I urge the Public Works Department and the contractors to always review any issues that could risk delays or disrupt the smooth running of this project,' he said. He also reminded the contractors and the Public Works Department to not only focus on construction works but also ensure that road maintenance works during the construction period are carried out from time to time. This is because there may be many disruptions encountered during construction and the authorities will ensure road conditions will not pose safety risk to users. 'All contractors involved must ensure that any potholes or uneven road surfaces are taken care of,' he said. His tour also included a visit to the proposed bridge construction at SMK Kundasang, a visit to the 4.85-km Kundasang-Kauluan-Pinausok Road Upgrading Project, Ranau (Kundasang-Ranau Alternative Road), and a visit to the Ranau Drainage Scheme (JPPS). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Sipitang folks slam ‘JKR tidakapathy': Also ask what MP and Assemblyman are doing
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: Villagers filling the road with large stones. SIPITANG: PBRS Wanita head for Sindumin, Maria Samuel, urged the government, particularly the Public Works Department, to carry out maintenance and upgrades on the road connecting Kampung Melamam to the Village Development Cooperative (KPD), as it is currently damaged and muddy. The main road for the villagers to access the KPD area and Kampung Lotok is the only route available. It also connects the old Lotok road and other villages like Kampung Kaban, Kampung Melamam, Kampung Damai and Kampung Marau to the town of Sipitang. Advertisement Maria said residents are disappointed and angry because the Public Works Department (JKR) has neglected this road which many residents rely on. Several villages in the surrounding areas also want this road upgraded, considering that the KPD area is abundant with agricultural crops with durian, rubber, oil palm being harvested. Residents have attempted to maintain the road by placing large stones in order to allow vehicles to pass. 'JKR should consider how villagers are supposed to transport their agricultural produce to the market when their vehicles get stuck,' she said. Advertisement 'It also creates difficulties for the residents, particularly students who find it challenging to use the road. Not to mention pregnant women and elderly who need to go to the hospital.' 'Even an ambulance cannot to get through the road, which is filled with mud and potholes,' she said. Maria hoped Sindumin State Assemblyman, who is also Chairman of Qhanah Sdn Bhd, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, and the Member of Parliament for Sipitang, Datuk Matbali Musah, would act without any more delay. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Paving way for progress – Balancing development with conservation in Sabah's road networks
A Bornean elephant grazing in the wild. This regular op-ed column features WWF-Malaysia's perspectives on pressing environmental issues and events unfolding in Sabah. As an environmental conservation NGO, we also use this space to share our views on potential policy shifts that Sabah's leaders can implement to foster a greener and more sustainable future for the state. Sabah is a land renowned for its lush nature and wildlife. Today, more than ever, the state stands at a critical juncture where the imperative for socioeconomic advancement with infrastructure development must be carefully balanced – with environmental and biodiversity conservation. Roads and highways are arteries for progress. They facilitate trade and transport of goods, improve access to healthcare and education, and create better employment opportunities. However, the recent tragic death of a baby elephant on Mother's Day in Gerik, Perak, serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences when infrastructure development proceeds without adequate consideration for biodiversity safeguards. The death of the baby elephant hit by a lorry highlights the pressing need for a paradigm shift in approaching road construction in ecologically sensitive regions like Sabah. The impact of roads and highways on large species such as elephants is of particular concern. Elephants have large home ranges. They are known to feed along road shoulders due to the abundance of grass fodder found there. In Peninsular Malaysia, a staggering 2,361 wild animals have been killed by vehicles since 2020 (including eight elephants). In Sabah, the first known road accident involving elephants was reported in 2022. As Sabah plans for more roads and highway projects such as the Pan Borneo highway that criss-cross wildlife habitat over the next few years, we can expect more wildlife-vehicle collisions and human-wildlife conflict. Creating a safe coexistence between humans and wildlife To prevent such wildlife-vehicle collisions, we need to create wildlife-friendly road infrastructure. Doing so requires wildlife data to determine locations of biodiversity hotspots so that the road can be aligned away. Where the roads must cross such hotspots, we need to construct wildlife-friendly road infrastructure. While this is obvious, ongoing projects do not have them. For instance, Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project connecting Ranau to Sandakan. The alignment and budget was finalised before biodiversity concerns were fully addressed. The result: a 13-kilometre stretch cutting through the Tawai Forest Reserve, a Class I Protection Forest. This vital forest is a sanctuary for highly endangered species, including Bornean elephants, Bornean orangutans, Bornean peacock pheasants, and Sunda clouded leopards. Under business as usual scenarios, in the absence of biodiversity safeguards, we will see roadkills on this new highway segment – exacerbating human-wildlife conflict, and posing a significant threat to these already vulnerable populations. Road users too are at risk, when they slam the breaks to avoid them. On the Pan Borneo Highway, the planned Phase 3 serves to enhance connectivity in Sabah's southern interior. The new road links the main towns of Tawau and Keningau via the remote districts of Kalabakan and Pensiangan. While it ultimately improves access and supports drastically needed socio-economic development, the planned road alignment passes through vast intact Forest Reserves – habitats to many wildlife species. We can prevent future occurrence of roadkills with proper road alignment and provision of budget for wildlife-friendly infrastructure. Pan Borneo Phase 3 is still pending confirmation, therefore presenting us a critical and timely opportunity. This is Sabah's chance to design road infrastructure that truly coexists with our iconic wildlife and minimises its environmental footprint. The technical know-how is already there. Just recently on 6–9 May 2025, the Sabah Wildlife Department hosted a workshop on constructing wildlife-friendly infrastructure in Maliau Basin. The workshop was co-organised by WWF-Malaysia, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, and the IUCN WCPA/SSC Asian Elephant Transport Working Group. The meeting featured an IUCN's 'Handbook to Mitigate the Impacts of Roads and Railways on Asian Elephants', and sought to enhance collective understanding and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife. One of the key objectives of the workshop was to provide recommendations for Phase 3 of the Pan Borneo Highway Project. Workshop participants reached a clear consensus on the need to integrate environmental screening assessments early in road planning to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and ensure effective mitigation measures. These measures include wildlife-friendly crossing structures such as viaducts and overpasses, anti-poaching safeguards, and speed management measures like rumble strips, speed cameras, optical speed bars, and electronic message signs, particularly in high-risk wildlife crossing zones. Additionally, proper motorist alert signage is essential to ensure the safe movement of both wildlife and road users. Wildlife-Friendly Infrastructure: Applying the Mitigation Hierarchy In 2023, WWF-Malaysia introduced the training module, Green Roads and Highways: Protecting Biodiversity, followed by the Green Budgeting Checklist in 2024. This initiative results from a collaboration between the Ministry of Works Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia and Aurecon Group, aimed at mainstreaming environmental considerations in road and highway projects. The IUCN Guidelines mentioned above provide invaluable practical resources on elephants. In essence, all road and highway development projects should apply the mitigation hierarchy to manage environmental impacts responsibly. First, using topography maps and wildlife data, efforts must focus on avoiding sensitive areas such as high conservation value (HCV) forests, water catchments, steep slopes, and key biodiversity zones. Second, where avoidance isn't possible, impacts should be minimised by realigning routes. Third, in biodiversity hotspots, mitigation measures — like viaducts, culverts, and canopy bridges — can then help reduce harm and maintain connectivity. Finally, affected areas should be restored through habitat rehabilitation and reconnection. This comprehensive approach supports both biodiversity conservation and sustainable infrastructure development. Far too often, it is only when roadkill has occurred 'too' frequently, and brought into media attention, that environmental experts are brought in to undertake damage control. By then, it's too late to influence road alignments or the design of critical wildlife crossings. Road construction, causing upwards to tens of billions of Ringgit, always involves well-planned and budgetary development, involving multiple layers of decision-making and approval processes. We fervently hope that guiding principles, such as those mentioned above and insights gleaned from dedicated workshops, will constitute part of early decision-making, so that the final approved plan contains all the necessary attributes in ensuring a wildlife friendly infrastructure. For sustainable infrastructure projects in Sabah to succeed, early involvement from all relevant government agencies is vital to integrate environmental and biodiversity concerns. Equally important are robust budgets for environmental and social safeguards, covering pre-construction wildlife assessments, temporary barriers, construction safeguards, and long-term monitoring. Every future road project must include a thorough Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). This ensures long-term economic viability by factoring in not just immediate costs, but also potential environmental liabilities, social impacts, and the intrinsic value of natural heritage. Through early intervention, comprehensive CBA, meticulous planning, dedicated environmental budgeting, and strong political will, we can build roads that serve the people without sacrificing Sabah's irreplaceable forests and diverse wildlife. Strategically avoiding environmentally sensitive areas also leads to more climate-resilient and cost-effective infrastructure. WWF-Malaysia and NGOs like Coalition 3H are ready to collaborate, offering wildlife information and input to inform future infrastructure planning with agencies like the Public Works Department (JKR) to help inform future infrastructure planning and decision-making processes. By embracing a collaborative and forward-thinking approach, Sabah can demonstrate to the world that economic development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive but can be mutually reinforcing. The path to progress in Sabah must be paved with asphalt and a profound respect for nature. Moving forward, WWF-Malaysia is calling for a strong commitment from government agencies to ensure the survival of Sabah's iconic wildlife is a priority in all future infrastructure planning.
Daily Express
7 days ago
- Daily Express
Better water supply by July: Short and long term solutions being looked into
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: Larry Ralon, Rahim Matnin Text Size: Shahelmey (middle) speaking at the press conference, with Ridhwan (second right), Chee (right), Dr Kasim (second left) and Dr Rosalam (left). Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Water Department (JANS), is taking proactive measures to address the water supply issues at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). These include the installation of new indicators and the implementation of the Telibong II Phase II pipeline project, which is expected to be completed by July. Advertisement Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya said a series of discussions and site visits between JANS and UMS, coordinated by his Ministry, had been carried out to identify both short- and long-term solutions. 'To tackle challenges such as water theft, incomplete pipeline installation and other contributing factors, we have urged JANS and UMS to strengthen cooperation so that this issue can be minimised for the benefit of the UMS community,' he told a press conference at his Ministry, Thursday. Also present were Works Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Ridhwan Roger Linus, State Water Department Director Chee Chun Chieh, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor and UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Ir. Dr Rosalam Sarbatly. Shahelmey said both JANS and UMS agreed to enhance collaboration on technical aspects and communications, including pump operations and internal water distribution within the campus. 'JANS is committed to ensuring a sufficient and consistent water supply to Tank R13 and will also cooperate with UMS regarding pump operations. The existing indicator at Tank R13 will be replaced with a digital indicator which has been ordered,' he said, adding the digital indicator is expected to be installed within a week. Shahelmey said he would personally inspect the installation and involve UMS officials to ensure alignment on pump operations. He also said JANS is ready to provide guidance and support to UMS in managing the internal distribution system, if required. Asked about the severity of the water disruptions at UMS, he said the situation had been relatively stable since mid-May. 'Based on our records, the situation has improved. We hope close cooperation between JANS and UMS will ensure continued stability, and once Telibong II Phase II is completed, the situation should improve further,' he said. Commenting on the root causes of the disruptions, Shahelmey pointed to several factors, including possible miscommunication between JANS and UMS about water level indicators and rampant illegal water connections in Sepanggar, which have hampered enforcement efforts. 'We are addressing the issues now and hope there will be no further miscommunication. External challenges such as illegal connections remain a major hurdle for JANS,' he added. He also revealed that the Government is reviewing legal options to introduce stricter laws against illegal water connections. In terms of funding, Shahelmey said to date, RM5 million has been channelled by the Federal Government, including RM3 million for the construction of nine tube wells following the Prime Minister's visit to UMS two years ago. An additional RM2 million was allocated by the Higher Education Ministry. However, water from the tube wells is only used for certain purposes, not for general consumption, as UMS requires at least 5 million litres of water daily. On the progress of the Telibong II Phase II pipeline installation, Shahelmey said the project is expected to be fully completed by the end of June or early July, which would help stabilise water distribution in the Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu areas. 'Once completed, the volume of treated water from the Telibong II plant will increase, resulting in a more stable supply to the affected areas,' he said. He said water pressure also remains an issue because although both Telibong I and II plants can produce 160 million litres per day (MLD), only 105 MLD can currently be delivered due to incomplete pipeline works. 'Once the new pipeline is ready, we will be able to deliver the remaining 55 MLD,' he added. On the Kasigui Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project, Shahelmey said it is being carried out by Jetama Berhad and, although delayed by a month due to unpredictable weather, it is expected to be operational and produce treated water supply by the end of this month. 'Concrete works for the main slab have been completed and the modular unit installation is ongoing. Once operational, it will supply an additional 5 MLD of treated water to Kota Kinabalu and Putatan,' he said. Shahelmey hoped all planned projects would be completed on schedule to ensure sufficient and sustainable water supply for the people of Sabah, particularly in the West Coast areas. Meanwhile, Shahelmey denied and described as baseless the allegations by Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin who alleged political bias and lack of road maintenance in his constituency. 'The route mentioned (by Bung), from Batu 32 Sandakan through Kinabatangan to Lahad Datu and Kunak, is a Federal road currently undergoing construction as part of the Pan Borneo Highway project. Maintenance works are the responsibility of the appointed contractors,' he 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
