Sabah sees benefits in a Trans-Borneo railway
Published on: Monday, June 05, 2023
“The preliminary estimated cost for this project is RM786 million,” he told Daily Express on May 29.
THE Sabah Government welcomed the proposed Trans-Borneo Railway that will link Sarawak, Sabah, Indonesia and possibly Brunei, saying it will yield substantial economic, social and cultural benefits for the region.
Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya said with the relocation of the Indonesian capital to Kalimantan, the pace of development in the region would be significant and Sabah certainly would not want to miss out.
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He said the State Government was aware of the proposal by the Sarawak Government.
“The proposed Trans-Borneo Railway is in line with the State Government’s proposal through the Sabah State Railway Department (JKNS)/Sabah Works Ministry (KKRS) in Rolling Plan 3 (RP3) under the 12th Malaysia Plan 2022.
“The State Government has applied for a Federal Government allocation for the construction of new railway lines to connect to the existing railway network in Sabah, starting from Beaufort to Sipitang and Lawas with a distance of 82km.
“The preliminary estimated cost for this project is RM786 million,” he told Daily Express on May 29.
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Shahelmey was commenting on Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent statement concerning the proposed railway.
Abang Johari said the Federal Government had agreed to look into Sarawak’s proposal for the Trans-Borneo Railway linking the State to Sabah, Indonesia and possibly Brunei.
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He said the proposed transnational railway would boost the region’s economy, especially in the logistics sector, adding that Transport Ministry officials had met State Government representatives to discuss the proposal.
Abang Johari said the Transport Ministry would conduct a study on the proposed railway.
Shahelmey said the Trans-Borneo Railway proposal was also briefly discussed at the Federal Ministry of Transport (MOT) level during the visit of former Deputy Transport Minister, Dato Henry Sum Agong, to the Sabah Railway Department on Feb 4, last year.
“Henry, who is also Lawas Member of Parliament, was very interested in the proposal and promised to bring the matter to the Federal Government,” he said.
He said the 82km Beaufort-Sipitang-Lawas route was one of seven packages, which were part and parcel of the State Government’s initial proposal for railway development in the State.
The remaining six packages, he said, are the Sandakan-Lahad Datu-Tawau route (323km), Tenom-Tawau route (301km), Sandakan-Pitas-Kudat route (352km), Kota Marudu-Kota Kinabalu (KKIP) route (94km), Putatan-KKIP route (30km) and KKIP-Sepanggar Port route (10km).
“As this matter is currently still at the initial proposal stage, the Trans-Borneo Railways network route cannot be determined precisely.
“Since it involves mutual interests, this matter will only be finalised after a detailed study is carried out, taking into account the results of further discussions that will be held involving the regions concerned,” said Shahelmey.
Meanwhile, Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe believed rail infrastructure should be a priority in Sabah as logistics is a key component in industrial and economic development.
He said he received many enquiries, especially from China, that are interested to invest in Sabah’s railway infrastructure.
“We have seen China progress so much with their development in rail and high-speed rail infrastructure. I always believe rail infrastructure should be our priority.
“That’s why I have spoken with some investors who expressed their intention to invest in our railway system. Given that Sabah has great potential in natural resources and strategic location.
I’m sure rail development can be a game changer to Sabah’s economic development,” he said.
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