A Sabah DAP leader has urged Warisan to take responsibility for its role in delays to the Pan Borneo Highway project, citing the cancellation of the project delivery partner (PDP) model.
Sabah DAP publicity secretary Thien Ee Hang said Warisan president Shafie Apdal had admitted to personally recommending the scrapping of the PDP model in 2019, when he was Sabah chief minister.
Thien said Shafie made the admission in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 19, telling the House that he had recommended the move to then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and then finance minister Lim Guan Eng.
“His admission is recorded in the official parliamentary Hansard. (Warisan deputy president) Darell Leiking cannot simply pretend it does not exist,” Thien said in a statement.
DAP challenges Warisan over PDP cancellation
Thien accused Leiking of selectively recounting the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the PDP model.
“Warisan should now explain its position openly. It cannot wash its hands of the matter and point fingers at other parties and leaders when problems arise, and the public starts asking who was responsible,” he said.
His remarks came after Leiking reportedly questioned those blaming Warisan for scrapping the PDP model, pointing out that Lim had announced the decision.
Leiking said the decision was not made solely by Shafie’s state administration, but also involved the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government.
Auditor-general’s report highlights project delays
Earlier this month, the auditor-general’s report revealed that only four of the 35 packages under the Pan Borneo Highway project, or 11.4%, had been fully completed as of March 31.
The report said the remaining 31 packages were still being implemented.
Critics have claimed that the cancellation of the PDP model contributed to the highway project’s significant delays. However, Shafie has denied terminating the contracts of any contractors involved in the project.
