KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry (KKR) has assured that the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) 2040 for Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan will be periodically updated to ensure the seamless implementation of new road projects and the upgrading of existing infrastructure.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this effort includes enhancing access to Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in Sarawak.
These include ICQS in Ba’Kelalan, Lawas; Biawak, Lundu; Sungai Tujoh, Kuala Baram, Miri; Tebedu, Serian; and Bukit Mabong, Kapit.
“Moving forward, we will periodically update the HNDP 2040 to ensure that new road development projects and upgrades to existing roads remain feasible and relevant for implementation,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 10).
In response to an additional question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS – Lubok Antu) about the development of parallel border roads linking security posts to small towns along the Malaysia-Indonesia border, Ahmad noted that Indonesia has constructed 608km of such roads within its territory.
When addressing the original query on the status of the HNDP 2040 study, Ahmad said that while the ministry prioritises federal roads, state highways and expressways, new road developments along the Sarawak and Sabah borders with Indonesia are not an immediate focus.
“Economic development remains the core agenda of the HNDP 2040 study.
“The proposed road networks in Sarawak are envisioned to play a pivotal role in reducing transportation costs, facilitating rural producers’ access to larger markets, and boosting the sales and incomes of farmers and local businesses,” he added.
