KOTA KINABALU: Sabah residents have voiced relief over the government’s commitment to completing Phase 1A of the Pan Borneo Highway by 2026, yet they stress the need for prioritizing safety during the construction process and post-completion. Concerns have been raised over accidents in construction zones, damaged roads awaiting upgrades, and inadequately lit completed sections, which pose risks to road users.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ongoing construction of the Kota Kinabalu-Tuaran Road, part of the Pan Borneo Highway project, has highlighted safety hazards due to badly damaged sections and poor lighting, particularly affecting motorcyclists. Nordin Thani, president of the Consumers Front of Sabah (CFOS), emphasized the risks faced by road users until the project’s completion in 2026 and urged stakeholders to address safety concerns immediately.

Nordin acknowledged driver negligence as a factor in road accidents but highlighted poor road conditions as a significant contributor to fatalities. He
called for an emphasis on safety to ensure secure travel for road users and urged contractors to place diversion signs and barriers knowledgeably instead of randomly.

The frequent reports of fatal accidents, attributed to challenging road conditions and sudden route changes, remain a concern for residents. The 77.41 percent completion of Phase 1A of the highway, announced by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, has not alleviated these safety concerns, as recent fatal accidents underscore the ongoing risks.

Noraman Sadali, chairman of the Beaufort District Car Rental Owners Association, and Azran Maran, a bus driver, both highlighted the dangers posed by pothole-ridden roads, inadequate lighting, and construction diversions. Their observations underscore the urgent need for improved road conditions to prevent further accidents and vehicle damage.