He said the 706 km stretch was estimated to cost RM12.8 billion and would be launched at Jalan Donggongon-Papar.

“Jalan Donggongon-Papar is the first package under the Pan Borneo Highway project to be developed and the prime minister will officiate the event,” Musa told reporters after launching the Sabah Road Day 2016 here today.

Musa said, at the launch, besides introducing the stages of implementation of the highway project, contractors involved in the highway’s construction were also expected to be introduced.

“We have not only been given the chance to have this highway but our local contractors have been given the opportunity to build it.

“This is the promise of the prime minister and he will be true to the promise,” Musa said.

In the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting, Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also minister of infrastructure development Sabah, said the 11.7 km Jalan Donggongon-Papar spur was the initial package.

Two more packages under the project are Jalan Tawau-Semporna from Km45 to Km49.7 and the Lahad Datu bypass stretching 7.1 km.

The Pan Borneo Highway project, stretching 2,239 km from Sarawak to Sabah, will cost RM27 billion. It is expected to be completed by 2025.

– BERNAMA