Latest news with #PanBorneoHighway
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Pan Borneo Highway construction from Beaufort to Sipitang progressing despite setbacks
Shahelmey presents rope to signify the handing over of the cows to a representative of the mosque/surau. PUTATAN (June 3): Construction of the Pan Borneo Highway from Beaufort to Sipitang is progressing, with Package 1 expected to be completed by 2026, according to Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. 'Most of the road is completed, with only a few bridges and sections pending. I hope the Public Works Department (PWD) will monitor the project closely to ensure its timely completion,' said Shahelmey. However, Package 2 is facing several technical challenges, including issues related to time extensions and arbitration, which have slowed progress. 'I've been informed that several decisions have been reached, and we expect the pace of work to improve. Completion is anticipated around 2027. Again, I urge PWD to monitor the contractor's performance closely,' he added. Shahelmey also addressed a recent incident involving a burst water pipe at one of the road sections under Package 2. The damage required excavation work, during which a motorcyclist fell into the hole at night. 'Although warning signboards and barriers were installed, the motorcyclist accidentally swerved and fell into the hole. PWD has met with the rider, obtained a police report, and determined the incident was due to user negligence,' he explained. He emphasized the importance of effective traffic management during construction, reminding PWD staff and contractors to regularly check and reinforce safety barriers. 'Sometimes barriers become loose due to weather or wind, and are not properly restored. This must not happen. They need to be secured consistently,' Shahelmey said. He also urged road users to adhere to posted signs and regulations, such as speed limits and diversions, to ensure everyone's safety. On the arbitration matter, Shahelmey revealed that the contractor for Package 2 had disputed aspects of the department's design. 'These are contract management issues currently being addressed,' he concluded.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
TYT's Gawai Dayak message: Preserve heritage, pursue knowledge
Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, extend their heartfelt wishes to the Dayak community for a joyful and meaningful Gawai Dayak celebration. KUCHING (May 31): Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has called on the Dayak community to preserve their rich cultural traditions while continuing to prioritise education as a key driver of development, as they return to their villages to celebrate Gawai Dayak. He said Gawai is not merely a harvest festival, but a powerful symbol of unity, gratitude and cultural pride. 'Each year on June 1, the Dayak community gathers to honour the fruits of their labour, strengthen family ties, and pass down traditions that reflect the values of togetherness, mutual respect and harmony,' he said in his Gawai Dayak message today. Recalling the historical significance of Gawai, which was officially recognised as a state celebration in 1965, Wan Junaidi paid tribute to the visionary leaders who championed the recognition of Dayak heritage. 'It is through traditions like 'ngajat', 'ai pengayu', and the communal spirit of 'gotong-royong' that we see the timeless values that continue to define us,' he said. Underscoring the importance of education in navigating the globalised and technologically advanced world, he lauded the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to improve educational access and infrastructure, especially in rural areas. 'Various initiatives have been implemented to boost literacy rates and academic performance, including early intervention programmes and the establishment of learning guidance centres. 'It is my hope that parents continue to emphasise the importance of education to empower their children to succeed and build a brighter future,' he said. He revealed that over 200 projects to rebuild and upgrade dilapidated schools have been approved under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, reinforcing the state's commitment to equitable access to quality education. Wan Junaidi also acknowledged the vital role of infrastructure in bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas. 'The construction of 16 bridges, alongside the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway and coastal road network, stands as clear proof of the government's commitment to bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas,' he said. He further commended non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their active role in supporting communities through educational aid, free health campaigns, and initiatives to preserve Dayak arts and customs. 'These partnerships are integral to building a more inclusive and resilient society,' he added. As Sarawakians return to their villages for the festive season, he reminded road users to travel responsibly and to prioritise safety. 'With better and more comfortable road networks such as the Pan Borneo Highway, let us not misuse these facilities as race tracks. 'Safety must come first, better to arrive late than never. 'I also urge all drivers to be courteous and always abide by traffic rules and regulations. Ensure that your vehicles are in good and safe condition, including tyre checks, brake systems, alignment, and steering. 'Before leaving, make sure your homes are securely locked and all electrical supplies are turned off to prevent unwanted incidents,' he said. He also expressed condolences and called for reflection following the recent tragic road accident involving the Federal Reserve Unit (PSP) in Teluk Intan, Perak. 'We must take this as a solemn reminder of the need to uphold safety and responsibility at all times,' he said. Wan Junaidi urged all Sarawakians to protect harmony, strengthen unity, and work together towards a prosperous future. 'Let us celebrate Gawai with joy, moderation and a strong sense of community spirit. ''Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua!' he added. celebratory cultural heritage Gawai Dayak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Governor's Gawai Dayak message: Preserve heritage, pursue knowledge
Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, extend their heartfelt wishes to the Dayak community for a joyful and meaningful Gawai Dayak celebration. KUCHING (May 31): Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has called on the Dayak community to preserve their rich cultural traditions while continuing to prioritise education as a key driver of development, as they return to their villages to celebrate Gawai Dayak. He said Gawai is not merely a harvest festival, but a powerful symbol of unity, gratitude and cultural pride. 'Each year on June 1, the Dayak community gathers to honour the fruits of their labour, strengthen family ties, and pass down traditions that reflect the values of togetherness, mutual respect and harmony,' he said in his Gawai Dayak message today. Recalling the historical significance of Gawai, which was officially recognised as a state celebration in 1965, Wan Junaidi paid tribute to the visionary leaders who championed the recognition of Dayak heritage. 'It is through traditions like 'ngajat', 'ai pengayu', and the communal spirit of 'gotong-royong' that we see the timeless values that continue to define us,' he said. Underscoring the importance of education in navigating the globalised and technologically advanced world, he lauded the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to improve educational access and infrastructure, especially in rural areas. 'Various initiatives have been implemented to boost literacy rates and academic performance, including early intervention programmes and the establishment of learning guidance centres. 'It is my hope that parents continue to emphasise the importance of education to empower their children to succeed and build a brighter future,' he said. He revealed that over 200 projects to rebuild and upgrade dilapidated schools have been approved under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, reinforcing the state's commitment to equitable access to quality education. Wan Junaidi also acknowledged the vital role of infrastructure in bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas. 'The construction of 16 bridges, alongside the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway and coastal road network, stands as clear proof of the government's commitment to bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas,' he said. He further commended non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their active role in supporting communities through educational aid, free health campaigns, and initiatives to preserve Dayak arts and customs. 'These partnerships are integral to building a more inclusive and resilient society,' he added. As Sarawakians return to their villages for the festive season, he reminded road users to travel responsibly and to prioritise safety. 'With better and more comfortable road networks such as the Pan Borneo Highway, let us not misuse these facilities as race tracks. 'Safety must come first, better to arrive late than never. 'I also urge all drivers to be courteous and always abide by traffic rules and regulations. Ensure that your vehicles are in good and safe condition, including tyre checks, brake systems, alignment, and steering. 'Before leaving, make sure your homes are securely locked and all electrical supplies are turned off to prevent unwanted incidents,' he said. He also expressed condolences and called for reflection following the recent tragic road accident involving the Federal Reserve Unit (PSP) in Teluk Intan, Perak. 'We must take this as a solemn reminder of the need to uphold safety and responsibility at all times,' he said. Wan Junaidi urged all Sarawakians to protect harmony, strengthen unity, and work together towards a prosperous future. 'Let us celebrate Gawai with joy, moderation and a strong sense of community spirit. ''Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua!' he added. celebratory cultural heritage Gawai Dayak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Urgent need for wildlife protection measures on Tawai forest road, say conservationists
KOTA KINABALU: Appropriate wildlife protection measures are needed for the proposed Pan-Borneo Highway stretch that cuts through central Sabah's Tawai Forest Reserve in Telupid. Sabah conservationists said this was necessary, citing the incident where an elephant calf was killed along the East-West Highway in the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve. Conservationists from Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) Prof Benoit Goossens and Seratu Aaatai's Dr Nurzhafarina Othman reiterated their concerns and objections over road that cuts through the biodiversity rich Tawai Forest. Goossens said the incident underscores the broader issue of human-wildlife conflict exacerbated by infrastructure development. "The Malaysian government has announced plans to incorporate dedicated wildlife crossings into future highways to prevent similar incidents. "Why not act now for the Pan Borneo Highway?" he said, adding he hoped it would be done before construction for the proposed alignment starts. Goossens, said DIFC, which is part of the Humans, Habitats, Highways Coalition (3H), has been against the road cutting through Tawai forest reserve. Nurzhafarina said 3H had highlighted that roads through wildlife habitats not only leads to fatal accidents but also increases the risk of poaching and habitat fragmentation. "Events like the May 11 incident, will definitely happen in Telupid if nothing is done," she said. She said the proposed road would endanger the elephant population as well as other protected species such as the Bornean orangutan, Sunda clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear and the Bornean peacock pheasant in the forest reserve. "We sincerely hope that mitigation measures could be implemented immediately, such as building dedicated wildlife crossings – or even better – viaducts at two elephant hotspots our research has identified. "There is also a need to enforce speed limits and install warning signs and lighting to alert drivers of potential wildlife crossings. "Finally, preventing heavy lorries from using the stretch at night and force them to use the existing Telupid road would limit the chance of accidents leading to human and wildlife casualties," Goossens and Othman jointly said in a statement on Friday (May 23). In the May 11 accident, a five-year-old male elephant calf was killed when it was hit by a 10-tonne lorry along the East-West Highway in the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve. The incident caught national attention and sparked public outcry when viral videos showed the calf's mother staying by its side for five hours, in a futile attempt to rescue her offspring.
Daily Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Bung welcomes calls for political unity
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 Text Size: Bung said huge progress only came after Barisan Nasional (BN) took over in 1994. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin welcomed calls for political unity among the State's leaders in the interest of progress but cautioned against ignoring Sabah's historical realities. While supporting efforts towards political stability and development, Bung said unity must be built on a truthful understanding of the past to avoid repeating past mistakes. He pointed out that from 1963 to 1994, Sabah was governed by local parties, a period he described as politically turbulent and economically stagnant. 'Frequent infighting and power struggles among local leaders shifted focus away from development. Despite abundant resources, rural areas remained underdeveloped, infrastructure was poor and poverty persisted due to inconsistent governance,' he said in a statement, Tuesday. He said huge progress only came after Barisan Nasional (BN) took over in 1994. Advertisement 'With political stability, BN could focus on statewide development, building roads, schools, hospitals, universities and the Pan Borneo Highway. Urban and rural growth flourished under BN's 24-year administration,' he said. He attributed these achievements to BN's structured governance, experience and strong Federal-State collaboration, rather than empty slogans. While not opposing power-sharing or reforms, Bung said Sabah's political unity must be rooted in clear policies, stable governance and genuine service to the people. 'Unity would not be achieved through statements alone. It requires wisdom, not sentiment. If state-federal relations remain tense, Sabah's progress will suffer,' he said. 'Politicians would not bear the consequences — the people will,' he said, warning against sowing deep-seated political divisions. Bung reaffirmed Sabah Umno's commitment to safeguarding the State's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), ensuring political stability and fighting for equitable treatment within the federation. 'Reforms should not ignore history. We must learn from the past to build a better future,' 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
