“This is a game changer which will bring major changes because when rural people are able to access the market, the demand for their products will rise. This will change the economic opportunities in rural areas,” he said.
He said he did not want the highway to become like other mega projects which had been afflicted with various problems.
“Do not repeat the mistakes of Bakun. Do not give to contractors who cannot contribute but only to capable contractors,” he said, according to Bernama.
“The people see a big dam and electric cables but the longhouses nearby are still without electricity. Bakun was not built in my time. It was constructed during the era of a person who ruled for 22 years. But that’s another story,” he said.
The mammoth Bakun Dam was to be the second-tallest rock-filled dam in the world. It was initiated during Mahathir’s time, in 1986, then shelved and then revivied in 1993 with a privatised contract awarded at a cost of US2.4 billion. The project has run into problems with its contractors, in addition to causing worldwide outrage at environmental damage and forced relocations of Sarawak native tribes.
Najib said today that the Pan Borneo Highway was more than a mega project. It was a project which will bring huge benefits for the people of Sarawak, Bernama reported.
Speaking at the launch of the highway section from Simpang Bintangor to Simpang Julau, and from Sibu airport to Sungai Kua Bridge, Najib said psychologically the highway would stimulate the minds and hearts of rural youths into pursuing progress.
The highway project, which had been dreamt of for many years, could bring rural areas in the state into the mainstream of development in the country.
Najib said the contracts for constructing the highway were given to local contractors comprising Class F Bumiputera contractors and to also ensure all spillover from the project met the needs of locals.
He said bus stops would be built along the entire highway and there would be places for the rural community to sell their agricultural products.
“If that is not enough, farmers can sell them in Kuching because Sibu will be only three hours from Kuching via the highway as compared to six hours now,” he said.
Najib said the 76.2km alignment in the Sibu division was expected to cost RM1.7 billion and 68 Sarawak Bumiputera construction companies would undertake construction works worth RM533.8 million.
He presented letters of award and Letters of Intent to 78 construction companies, 77 of them Sarawak Bumiputera companies, for the highway construction works.
Najib and Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem also handed over compensation to land owners affected by the project.
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