Masing: Contracts for Sarawak’s RM5b highway project will be via open tender

KUALA LUMPUR (June 20): The construction of a RM5 billion coastal highway project in Sarawak will be awarded via open tender.

This is the directive of Sarawak chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg, said deputy chief minister Tan Sri James Masing.

Masing explained that the chief minister wanted the awarding of the contracts to be “very transparent”, according to a report by the Malay Mail today.

There will be no awards through direct negotiations.

“The whole project be divided into packages so that more contractors will benefit,” Masing told the media during a press conference today.

Masing also dismissed claims that the coastal highway project has already been awarded, according to the same Malay Mail report.

“It is not true. The state government has not awarded any contract to any company,” he confirmed.

The highway 900km highway will connect Sematan in the south to Miri in the north. It is scheduled for completion in 10 years.

The highway project will involve the construction of more than 10 bridges, over Sungai Sadong, Sungai Samarahan, Sungai Rambungan, Sungai Lupar, Sungai Igan, Sungai Rajang, Sungai Saribas, Sungai Krian, Sungai Paloh, Muara Lassa and Kuala Kemena.