A 400-km stretch of the Pan-Borneo two-lane trunk road between Sibu, Bintulu and Miri in Sarawak will be upgraded to a highway latest by 2015, Works Minister Fadillah Yusof, said in Kuching today.

He said priority was given to this stretch due to the positive economic impact anticipated in the areas between these three places following the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

"Since some parts of the stretch have been upgraded, God willing, it (the upgrading works) could be completed in two to three years' time," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Malay Contractors' Association (PKMM) Sarawak branch's annual general meeting.

He said the next focus would be upgrading the stretch between Serian and Betong, involving about 186km as well as creation of more overtaking lanes along the trunk road.

"Of course, based on the (BN's election) manifesto that we will do it in five years (time), so we will implement it (the upgrading works) in stages," he said.

Fadillah said the Sarawak Government's submission of costs for the continuation of the highway project next year was now in the hands of the Prime Minister's Department Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for approval.

However, he said that he was not at liberty now to reveal the amount of funds requested by the state and that the final figure would only be announced by Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak, when the latter tabled the 2014 national budget on Oct 25 this year.

"The amount (of fund to be) approved could be less or could be more (than what had been requested). So we are not sure yet at this stage," he added.

- Bernama