Comprehensive plan to enhance infra, utilities
Published on: Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Juhar said key initiatives include accelerating the Pan Borneo Highway project, expanding railway services, upgrading the Teluk Sapangar Container Port and improving water supply and sewerage.
Kota Kinabalu: THE State Government is spearheading a comprehensive plan to enhance infrastructure, utilities, and communication networks to bolster Sabah’s economic development.
Juhar said key initiatives include accelerating the Pan Borneo Highway project, expanding railway services, upgrading the Teluk Sapangar Container Port and improving water supply and sewerage.
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Priority will be accorded to intensification of road connectivity, particularly through the Pan Borneo Highway. Of the 35 work packages, four have been completed, spanning 41.7 km.
Another15 work packages are currently under construction with two expected to finish this year and the remaining 13 by next year. The remaining 16 packages are in the tender process, with construction scheduled to commence this year.
“Emphasis will also be given to strengthening the management of infrastructure projects in the state to make them more efficient and effective,” Juhar said.
The State Government is also focusing on enhancing the transportation sector, particularly the railway service which will be gradually expanded, including new services catering to the tourism and recreation sectors.
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“For long-term planning, three studies will commence this year: Feasibility Study and Preliminary Design for the Construction of a Railway Line from Putatan to KKIP and Sepanggar Port, Sabah State Railway Department’s Directional Study, and Feasibility Study on the Trans Borneo Railway Project,” Juhar said.
In the maritime sector, the expansion of the Teluk Sapangar Container Port is actively underway, aimed at increasing the port’s capacity for container handling and further boosting the State’s trade and shipping activities.
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The State Government is implementing physical upgrading work on the jetty in Karakit, Pulau Banggi, and constructing aids to navigation and beacon buoys in the Wallace Bay area, Sebatik Tawau, to facilitate the residents in these areas.
As an immediate solution to the water supply challenges in the Northern and Central areas of Kota Kinabalu and Putatan, 18 projects will be implemented.
“The government is also working to reduce the Non-Revenue Water rate by solving the problem of illegal connections through enforcement and NRW reduction management,” Juhar said.
Additionally, the State Government is focused on strengthening sewerage services by providing sewage treatment systems that can accommodate the targeted Equivalent Population, increasing the coverage of the sewerage network, and ensuring the quality of effluent discharged from sewage treatment plants complies with the Department of Environment standards.
Various public awareness programmes will continue to be implemented to promote the importance of a robust sewerage system for environmental sustainability.
On commitment to energy security and sustainability, Juhar said Sabah has taken over the regulatory power of gas supply, electricity, and renewable energy supply.
“This accomplishment is the result of the State Government’s commitment and persistent efforts in demanding the state’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including ensuring the efficient and reliable administration of energy in the State,” he said.
The State Government has launched the Sabah Energy Master Plan and Roadmap 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) and established the Sabah Energy Council to ensure sustainable and reliable power supply, equitable access, and comprehensive coverage at affordable prices.
The State is also implementing various initiatives, such as the addition of capacity from large-scale solar power stations, the rehabilitation of existing power generation stations, the incorporation of renewable energy sources like hydropower and biogas, the use of interim diesel generators, and the operation of battery energy storage systems, to address the issue of power generation capacity shortage.
Additionally, the State Government has introduced the Self Consumption (Selco) program, which allows electric consumers to install photovoltaic solar systems for their own use, helping to reduce peak grid load, especially during the day.
Juhar urged all parties to practice energy-efficient use to further reduce electricity consumption from the Sabah grid, addressing the capacity shortage and resulting in cost savings for consumers.
Recognizing the importance of digital connectivity, the State Government is intensifying efforts to improve access and connectivity to the internet, particularly in rural areas.
This year, the State will provide broadband access services using Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Starlink technology in 300 selected locations across 26 districts.
“This initiative is implemented to bridge the digital divide among remote communities and increase exposure to digital technology, in line with the aspirations of the SMJ Development Plan to develop digital infrastructure and enhance human capital in the community,” Juhar said.
As of now, more than 219 locations have been installed with VSAT Starlink, providing a speed of 100Mbps and benefiting almost 60,328 remote communities.
The full installation of VSAT Starlink at all selected locations is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Juhar also highlighted the State Government’s comprehensive initiatives under the Sabah Development Corridor 2.0 (SDC 2.0) Action Plan, which focuses on restructuring the business ecosystem, driving the main economic growth activities, human capital transformation, expanding regional inclusiveness, and enhancing environmental sustainability.
“The implementation of all these projects is capable of prospering the economy, creating job opportunities, reducing development gaps, and increasing the people’s income,” Juhar said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to balanced and inclusive development.
To further strengthen the strategic efficiency, operations, and direction of the related sectors, the State Government will conduct several studies, including the Master Plan and Business Plan for the Free Economic Zone, Logistics Hub and Cold Storage Depot in POIC Lahad Datu, the POIC Sandakan Economic Master Plan and Business Planning Study, the Border Economic Study of Sabah, and the Food Valley Master Plan Study in the Interior of Sabah.
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