KUCHING, Oct 26 — Contractors for the Pan Borneo Highway project are currently working at 90 per cent of their workforce capacity, said caretaker Senior Works Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said the number was higher than during the Covid-19 pandemic when many workers involved with the project had returned to their home countries.

"According to the reports we have received so far, workers from abroad have started coming back (to work).

"Sometimes the process of approving the workers takes a bit of time, but according to our report the number of workers has now increased,” he told reporters after attending a performance briefing on the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project, here, today.

Fadillah said that phase one of the Pan Borneo Highway project has now reached 88 per cent completion, and he expects two more sections of the highway to be opened next month.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said a committee would be set up to monitor the implementation and issues arising from the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway.

He said the committee will consist of the Works Ministry, Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) and consultants.

"The committee will address all the issues that arise regarding the project, especially in areas where there are problems,” he said.

Phase one of the Pan Borneo Highway construction project, covering 786 kilometres from Telok Melano to Miri, involves a cost of RM16.117 billion. — Bernama