KUCHING – Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof today suggested that the finance and work ministries use prequalified tenders in the selection of contractors for the Pan Borneo Highway project.
The deputy prime minister said the use of the method would ensure the reliability of contractors appointed and, thus, would not affect the highway construction process.
“This is because if we do it through an open tender, it will take a long time, especially if there are too many applications. So, I recommend a prequalified tender, which means that the tender will be opened with conditions.
“Contractors who meet the criteria will be identified and those who qualify will be called to enter the actual tender,” he told reporters when met at the state-level Cost of Living Carnival at Dewan Hikmah here today.
Fadillah, who is the coordinator for the highway project, said he was making the suggestion to expedite its construction, which involves a total distance of 1,492km.
Fadillah said this in response to the task given to him by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to expedite the highway’s construction.
The prime minister, in his speech in conjunction with Malaysia Day yesterday, vowed to fulfil the promises and agreements made during the nation’s formation, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and had tasked Fadillah to expedite and resolve issues surrounding the highway project.
Anwar said this was to ensure its construction could be completed earlier than the previously set deadline.
On August 20, the media reported that Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said Phase 1 of the segment of the project in Sabah, which involves 15 work packages, is now at 82% of construction and is scheduled to be fully completed in January 2025.
Phase 1 of the project in Sarawak involves 11 work packages, with almost 98% completed. – September 17, 2023