SANDAKAN: Sandakan MP, Vivian Wong Shir Yee, has expressed disappointment over the persistent problems in addressing the road issues along the Sandakan-Ranau road, particularly on the route from Batu 16 to Batu 32.
She emphasised that this road, classified by the Ministry of Works (KKR) as LSF F, meaning “severely congested,” urgently needs a solution but continues to be neglected by the federal government.
“It is very disappointing to hear during the Parliament session on November 7 that the proposal for the Libaran Bypass Phase 1-3, covering the intersection from Batu 32 to Gum-Gum, cannot be considered due to government priorities and financial constraints.
“Does this mean the people of Sandakan must continue to suffer from congestion on this single-lane road without any near-term solutions?” Vivian questioned.
She also raised concerns about the excessive delays in the implementation of Phase 4 of the Libaran Bypass project, which started in 2013 but remains incomplete, even for the first phase.
The project is now labelled as a troubled project, with a bridge under this phase collapsing before it could be used, despite three additional funding allocations.
“Why is there no strict action against the contractors who failed to complete this project? I urge the MACC to investigate the reasons for the delays and failures of this project,” she stated.
Vivian expressed her disappointment over the government’s refusal to approve funding for Phases 1 to 3 of the Libaran Bypass.
“The logic is simple—Phase 4 cannot be used without completing Phases 1 to 3. Who in the Ministry of Works made this unreasonable decision? What are their priorities that allow critical projects like this to be sidelined?” she said.
