KOTA KINABALU: A feasibility study on the proposed Trans-Borneo Railway project linking Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia's Kalimantan will start this December, says Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Shahelmey, who is also state Works Minister, said the RM7mil study had been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), to be funded by the federal government.
“The consultant evaluation process and the establishment of the steering and technical committees have been completed in October,” he said during question time at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Monday (Nov 18).
“My ministry has been informed that the process of preparing the acceptance letter (SST) is underway.
“The study is expected to commence at the latest by this December and is anticipated for completion by the end of 2025, a duration of 12 months,” he added.
He was replying to questions by Datuk Yusof Yaacob (GRS-Sindumin) and Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (GRS-nominated assemblyman).
Shahelmey explained that the Sabah Railway comes under the state and is governed by legislation under the Railway Enactment 2017.
The 2017 Enactment was re-enacted to replace the Railway Ordinance (Chapter 116) and came into effect on Jan 2, 2018.
“This means that all planning, management, operations, maintenance, and enforcement are provided for under the 2017 Enactment and enforced by the State Railway Department,” he said.
The Minister said the state welcomed Putrajaya’s involvement in the study project.
Shahelmey added the state government will carry out a separate feasibility study and a preliminary design for the extension of the railway line from Putatan to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), and onward to the Sepanggar Port.
This study, expected to begin by March 2025 at the latest, is estimated to cost RM1.75mil.
“All these studies by the federal or state governments are part of a long-term plan to develop, modernise and expand the railway network in Sabah.
“The findings from these studies will later serve as the basis for planning new development programmes and as the foundation for funding consideration for physical implementation under the 13MP and beyond.
“This long-term planning needs to be structured in phases, guided by priorities and available financing resources,” Shahelmey said.
To a supplementary question by Yong on whether the state allowed the federal government to interfere in its railway affairs, the Minister said the state would defend the rights enshrined in the Constitution regarding railway-related matters.
“However, we are looking at the implementation model of the ECRL (East Coast Rail Link) in Peninsular Malaysia, where the route spans several states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, and others.
“We warmly welcome this feasibility study, and once the study yields the desired outcome, Sarawak, Sabah, and the country of Brunei Darussalam will discuss the physical implementation of the project in more detail,” he said.
