KOTA KINABALU, Sept 27 — Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) Sabah has questioned the federal government’s transport infrastructure priorities, highlighting more than RM21 billion in approved transport projects in Penang while Sabah continues to face road maintenance needs and delays involving the Pan Borneo Highway.
Its Information Chief Mustaman Mustain said the federal government should clarify its priorities, particularly given Sabah’s extensive road network and infrastructure needs.
“Sabah is not asking for special treatment. Sabah is demanding development justice,” he said in a statement.
Citing a Sept 21 report by Sinar Harian, Mustaman said more than RM21 billion in transport projects in Penang had received Federal Government approval, including the RM16.8 billion Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, RM1.55 billion expansion of Penang International Airport, RM2.2 billion for Penang Port and RM500 million for Swettenham Pier.
He said PAS Sabah did not dispute Penang’s right to development, but questioned why Sabahans continued to face concerns over basic transport infrastructure.
Mustaman said the federal government allocated RM341.7 million for federal road maintenance in Sabah in 2025, covering about 1,536.949km of federal roads under its maintenance jurisdiction.
For 2026, he noted that RM200 million had been allocated for 178 federal road maintenance works in Sabah, comprising 74 periodic pavement works and 104 non-pavement works. The allocation represents a substantial increase from the RM50 million provided for the programme in 2025.
“Although this amount has increased from RM50 million in 2025, the question remains whether the allocation is sufficient to meet the actual needs of a state with an extensive road network, challenging terrain and dispersed population,” he said.
On the Pan Borneo Highway, Mustaman said RM1.67 billion had been allocated in 2026 to support the Sabah project, but Sabahans were still waiting for its full completion.
He said the effectiveness of infrastructure development should ultimately be assessed by outcomes, including the number of roads repaired, projects completed and the time taken to deliver safe and comprehensive transport infrastructure.
“Sabah must be regarded as a partner in the Federation that is entitled to infrastructure development commensurate with its contribution and position within the country,” he said.
Mustaman also called on the federal government to translate its Malaysia Madani and development-gap reduction agenda into tangible outcomes, saying Sabahans wanted to see concrete results. — The Borneo Post
