This news in English is from Utusan Borneo.

KUALA LUMPUR: Physical construction of the Miri Section of the Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) Project is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, the Dewan Negara sitting was informed today. 

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the 4.951-kilometre (km) stretch, previously known as Work Package 12 Miri under the Pan Borneo Highway Phase 2 (LPB2) Project, is currently in the pre-construction phase. 

“The LPB2 project is now known as the LTB Project and the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) Project. The LTB Project is a Federal government project and is currently going through the procurement tender process.

"The physical construction of the Miri Section of the Trans Borneo Highway is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026," he said in a question and answer session at the Dewan Negara, here today. 

He said this in response to a question from Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim who wanted to know the percentage of progress in the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway Phase 2 project in Sarawak as well as measures to ensure there are no delays due to contractor issues and additional allocations.

Nanta also explained that Work Package 13 (Limbang) and Work Package 14 (Lawas) are new alignments that are part of the NCH project implemented by the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) under the supervision of the Sarawak State Government.

Meanwhile, he said the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) which covers a stretch of 786 km has achieved 99.98 percent overall progress as of last October, with 10 out of 11 work packages fully completed and opened in stages for public use.

“The entire WPC Work Package 11 cannot be completed in 2025 as originally scheduled because there is a critical need to replace the existing water pipes owned by Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd before the 4.2 km road upgrade work can be implemented.

“This pipe replacement needs to be completed first to avoid disruption to water supply to Miri city as well as the risk of road damage in the future,” he said.

He said the Ministry of Works (KKR) and the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) together with contractors and stakeholders are in the process of renegotiating the price and work for the pipe relocation and road upgrading to be implemented in phases starting in the first quarter of 2026, and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2029.

Nanta said that once WPC 11 Work Package is completed, this step will mark the completion of the entire Sarawak LPB project, which is an important infrastructure link for the state.

KKR, he said, always conducts regular monitoring to ensure that the implementation of the project is in accordance with the scope of work and specifications set and that there are no delays due to contractor issues and additional allocations.