Monday, November 16, 2015

Bina Puri eyes Pan Borneo jobs

By Sharen Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: BINA Puri Holdings Bhd is vying for a contract in the RM27 billion Pan Borneo Highway project linking Sabah and Sarawak.
 
  Executive director Matthew Tee said the company is preparing to submit its tender documents for the pre-qualification process for main works in the Sarawak portion of the highway.
 
  "We are eyeing road infrastructure works, either as a main contractor or sub-contractor, for some portions," he told Business Times.
 
  The Sarawak section of the highway, stretching 1,090km from Tanjung Datu in the west to Merapok in the north, is expected to be completed by 2021 at an estimated cost of RM16.1 billion.
 
  A state-owned entity started works on the first phase, involving 773km, last month.
 
  Sarawak-based Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd is the project delivery partner for the 1,090km toll-free stretch.
 
  "We expect more tenders to be called out early next year," Tee said.
 
  Bina Puri could face some competition from key contractors in the state, such as Naim Holdings Bhd, Zecon Bhd, Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd and Hock Seng Lee Bhd.
 
  Bina Puri owns Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd, the concessionaire for the 33km Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway which was built at a cost of RM958 million. It spans from the north of Templer Park in Rawang to Assam Jawa town in Kuala Selangor.
 
  On the Sabah side, construction on the first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway, connecting Sindumin to Tawau at a distance of 706km, will commence next year, with the cost expected to reach RM12.8 billion.
 
  Tee said Bina Puri is also interested in the Sabah portion of the highway. The entire Pan Borneo Highway will span 2,239km.
 
  Although the ceiling budget is around RM27 billion, the Federal Government is still working to finalise the cost.
 
  The project is expected to accelerate Sabah and Sarawak's development. Economic spin-offs include greater opportunities for businesses to supply and support development of the highway.
 
  Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said recently the concession agreement for the construction of the highway would be inked by the end of the year.
 
  The Federal Government is discussing with the state governments and related authorities on the technical and financial aspects.
 
  The project will be funded by DanaInfra Nasional Bhd, a fully-owned entity under Minister of Finance Inc.

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