The Sarawak government must immediately halt the direct awarding of the tender for the construction of two road projects in the state costing a total of RM11 billion.

The state government must first call for an open tender for the construction and completion of both the Coastal Road Project (estimated to cost RM5 billion) and the Second Trunk Road Project (estimated to cost RM6 billion), state DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen said in a statement today.

He added that both the projects are slated to be funded by the state government.

Chong said the Coastal Road Project from Sebuyau to Betong covers a distance of 92km including a few bridges.

“For a project of this stature which includes new construction and expansion of the existing old road and even with the construction of a number of bridges, RM5 billion is extremely exorbitant.

“The cost approximately works out to RM52 million per km,” he said.

“It is shocking that for projects of such magnitude, the state government did not call for open tender and is now in the process of awarding them to two different companies.

“James Masing, as the state minister of infrastructure development and transportation, must be accountable to Sarawakians as to why there is no open tender called for the undertaking of both these huge projects."

Chong said the minister must be mindful of the current dire state of the financial standing of the federal government.

“Giving direct awards for major projects in the country seems to be such a rampant practice.

“Our state’s reserve fund is only RM30 billion. The chief minister is also contemplating the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system which is estimated to cost RM11 billion.

“This, coupled with the two upcoming road projects which also cost around RM11 billion, can bleed away our state reserves in just five years,” he cautioned.

Chong, who is also the state Pakatan Harapan chairperson, called on the minister to stop the awarding of the two road projects to the contractors of his choice.

He also suggested to the minister to divide the contract into smaller packages, so that more contractors can be allowed to be involved to participate in the projects.

Chong also suggested open tenders for all projects, so that people get the full value for money spent on these projects.