SABAH ROAD USERS URGE SAFETY PRIORITISATION ON PAN BORNEO HIGHWAY PROJECT

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Sabah residents have expressed relief following the government’s assurance that Phase 1A of the Pan Borneo Highway will be completed by 2026. However, they have urged that safety measures be prioritised during the project's construction and post-completion work.

Concerns were raised due to accidents occurring in construction zones, severely damaged roads awaiting upgrades, and completed sections of the highway that are poorly lit, posing risks to road users.

For instance, the Kota Kinabalu-Tuaran Road, currently being rebuilt as part of the Pan Borneo Highway, has sections that are badly damaged or insufficiently lit, increasing safety hazards for motorists, particularly motorcyclists.

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Consumers Front of Sabah (CFOS) president Nordin Thani said that 2026 is still some time away, leaving road users exposed to various risks if safety factors are neglected. He urged contractors and all stakeholders to take safety concerns seriously and not adopt a complacent attitude.

While Nordin acknowledged that driver negligence also contributes to road accidents, he emphasised that poor road conditions are a significant factor leading to accidents and fatalities. He called for safety to be prioritised to ensure a comfortable and secure journey for road users.

“As contractors responsible for the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway, they must ensure that staff placing diversion signs and barriers are knowledgeable about the routes, particularly traffic flow, and not just placing the signs randomly,” said Nordin.

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He expressed concern over the frequent reports of fatal accidents, which he attributed to the challenging road conditions and sudden route changes caused by construction works.

“If we look at the news, almost every day there are reports of fatal accidents. It is deeply saddening because the condition of the roads complicates travel for users whose routes may have been altered from the original path,” he told Bernama.

On July 29, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that construction of Phase 1A of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah had reached 77.41 per cent completion, with full completion expected by 2026.

Despite progress, several accidents have occurred on the highway. On Oct 27, a motorcyclist and an elderly driver lost their lives in a collision at Kilometre 11 of the Pan Borneo Highway. On Sept 30, a mother and child were fatally struck by a car while walking across the Kota Kinabalu-Tuaran Road, near the Kampung Rugading junction, where highway construction is ongoing.

Beaufort District Car Rental Owners Association chairman Noraman Sadali, who has been a taxi driver for 20 years, raised concerns over the frequent accidents on the Beaufort-Kota Kinabalu route, currently under construction as part of the Pan Borneo Highway. He noted that motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable due to damaged roads riddled with potholes.

"The road, still under construction, is hazardous, especially for those unfamiliar with the route or using it for the first time," he said.

“For those of us who are accustomed to this route, we know where the potholes and diversions are. However, for first-time users, it is dangerous, particularly at night when the route is very dark.

"Streetlights are only available in certain areas, mainly at junctions. But since we know the route well, we know where to accelerate and where to slow down,” he added.

Azran Maran, 35, a bus driver who has been using the Kota Kinabalu-Tuaran route since 2014, echoed these concerns, pointing out that the construction not only endangers lives but also damages vehicles.

“The pothole-ridden roads have caused damage to both public transport and private vehicles. I urge authorities to ensure that sections of the road not yet under construction are not left in a state of disrepair,” he also said.

-- BERNAMA