Despite many BN ministers and representatives have promised that there will be no toll to be imposed on the proposed Pan Borneo Highway and it is fully under the government expenses, but there is still a possibility shows that government intended to impose toll on this mega project which costs about 27 billion.
In accordance with Public Works Ministry reply to my question during the policy stage winding up speech of Budget 2015 in parliament, its minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he cannot guarantee that no toll will be imposed on the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah as government still study on the implementation method.
It clearly shows that the inconsistent stance from Barisan Nasional government. Why the ministers initially said it will be toll-free highway but eventually Works Minister cannot guarantee at all? It shows how irresponsible the ministers and BN leaders are!
It was reported that the contract will be awarded to UEM-MMC consortium by Private Finance Initiative (PFI). One of the mechanisms to earn back the revenue is by collecting toll on the highway. It was just like what is happening in Semenanjung Malaysia such as North-South Highway and other expressway.
I also query on the quality of the highway which will be built in Sabah. It was allegedly reported that the road quality particularly some roads in Lawas, Sarawak are much wider and better quality than the road in Sabah. I urge the government to reveal all the information of this highway including its quality, size, allocation of government and etc to the public.
The contract must be awarded to local firms to help the locals’ economy. It is about equal opportunity. The project in Sabah should be given priority to locals by open tender, let the capable local firm to take part in the project. The direct negotiated tender is another form of rent-seeking method which had proven no effectiveness and might cause corruption.
Since the minister cannot guarantee that no toll to be imposed on Sabah Pan Borneo Highway, then all Sabahans should be united on this cause and tell the government we do not want toll! The Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman should learn from his counterpart Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan and show his guts and rejects this proposal to the federal government which is unfair to Sabah.
The state assembly which will be on sitting from coming Monday for state budget 2015 should discuss on this important issue and reach a consensus that there will be no toll to be imposed on Pan Borneo Highway.