Prime Minister Najib Razak has come forward with an explanation as to why the Federal Government assured that users of the the RM27 billion Pan-Borneo Highway would not be subject to toll charges, unlike similar highways in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to the PM, the Pan-Borneo Highway is serving as the primary thoroughfare for people travelling between Sabah and Sarawak, with no viable non-tolled alternatives.
“On the peninsula, the North-South Highway (PLUS) is also the main route, but there are other choices for travellers,” he told Bernama at the new highway’s Phase One officiating ceremony in Bintulu.
Najib said that on the Peninsula, drivers could opt for toll-free routes constructed by the Public Works Department (JKR), that served just as well, albeit over a longer distance and are narrower.
The first phase of the new highway alone is costing Putrajaya RM13 billion, with the next stage of the project will begin rolling out in September.
The Pan-Borneo Highway spans both Sabah and Sarawak, connecting the two states with 1,663km of pristine blacktop. 936 of those kilometres will be in Sarawak, while the other 727km will run through Sabah.
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