He said the implementation of the project, costing more than RM16 billion, had paved the way for the state government to build coastal roads, as well as a second trunk road that would connect to the highway.

“I feel this project will not only stimulate development but will serve as a learning curve for carrying out other major projects in Sarawak,” he said at a dinner function here tonight.

He said the state government planned to construct a 145km road to link Marudi, an interior town in Miri division, with Long Terawan and the world-famous Mulu National Park.

He added that Long Terawan would also be linked all the way to Mount Buda in Limbang division and this road would be connected to a northern coastal highway that had been planned in the division.

Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Sarawak portion of the Pan Borneo Highway was 98% complete.

He said 19 of the 25 sections had been completed, with the remaining sections to be completed in stages by the first quarter of next year.