LAWAS: Works Minister Baru Bian today pledged that the 425-kilometre (km) Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) which is estimated to cost RM5.2 billion, will be completed by 2030.

In an interview after launching the SSLR at Long Sebangang here today, Baru said he is putting his career on the line to ensure that the much awaited road will be completed within the time frame.

“The people have waited for 56 years. Before 1972, we have heard many promises by the former government that they will develop these area (rural areas) and that better roads would also be built. As usual, before election, promises came,” he said.

Baru, who is also MP for Selangau and Ba Kelalan assemblyman, assured the nearly 2,000 crowd at the function today that he will walk the talk.

“As I’ve said earlier (in his speech), I come from this place. I know the difficulties that we are facing. I walked this land and I know there is problem.

“As far as I am concerned, this project has been approved by the federal government,” he said.

SSLR is the first road that connect Sarawaks and Sabah without passing through Brunei.

The SSLR project is divided into two packages. The first package of the project, which will start from Lawas through Long Sukang, then to Long Luping and Pa’ Berunut, is expected to start in October next year and be completed in 2024.

The second package, which is expected to be completed in 2030, will be covering Pa’ Berunut to Long Lama (160km) and include spur roads (175km).

Among those present at the function today were Works Ministry secretary general Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan, Public Works Department (JKR) deputy director general (specialist) Kamaluddin Abdul Rashid, JKR deputy director general (Infra) Zulakmal Sufian, JKR Sabah director Datuk Richard Jomjil Kinsil and JKR secretary (Development and Privatisation division) Datuk Zahrul Hakim Abdullah.

Thank you PH. oil royalty bila? Hancing.

Good lah... can bypass Brunei.

But these link roads are useless without the BN-initiated Pan Borneo Highway.

Thank you PH. oil royalty bila? Hancing.

Fed should pay oil royalty to S&S, and let the two states build these roads instead. This is what we call autonomy.

So who are the contractors?

So who are the contractors?

Fed should pay oil royalty to S&S, and let the two states build these roads instead. This is what we call autonomy.

Sarawak-Sabah Link Road project
- 425km long, RM5.2 billion cost funded by federal govt JKR
- expected completion in year 2030
- connect 14 villages across 400km connecting Sabah and Sarawak, without having to go through Brunei
- First phase a 90km road, the rest built in 150km phases
- tender pre-qualification advertised on 6 Nov 2019