SERIAN (Sarawak): The RM16 billion Pan Borneo Expressway is not only a gift for Sarawak but a testament of the federal government’s seriousness in fulfilling its promises to develop Sabah and Sarawak, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He called for continuity in the state administration so that efforts by the government to develop the local community could be maintained.

The drop in the prices of the country’s prime commodity would not derail the government’s determination to fulfill its promises to Sarawak people and the expressway project would proceed, he said.

Najib was speaking at a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the 75km package between the Serian roundabout and Simpang Pantu.

The Pan Borneo Expressway, stretching 2,325km, will serve as a communication backbone in Borneo, running from Telok Melano in Sarawak to Tawau in Sabah.

The Serian route involves upgrading of the single carriageway to a dual carriageway with three elevated intersections in Serian and Simunjan.

Najib said the amount spent by the government on the expressway would have a multiplier effect of much as eight-fold, in bringing benefit to the people.

“This development serves not only as a catalyst to the people’s economy, but also a game changer for the country. It will bring huge transformation to Sarawak, making it the only huge project that cannot be compared with any projects in the country before this,” he added.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to the federal capital after a walkabout in Pekan Bau later today.

-BERNAMA