KOTA KINABALU, Sept 27 — Transport infrastructure development in Sabah remains a priority for the Madani Government, with comparisons between states needing to take into account their respective scale and requirements, said Sabah PKR Information Chief Ahmad Farid Sainuri.

He said Sabah’s roads still required serious attention, including faster completion of the Pan Borneo Highway to narrow the development gap between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

“We do not deny that Sabah’s roads still require serious attention. As Sabahans, we want the Pan Borneo Highway completed faster and the development gap between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia further narrowed,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Farid was responding to the Sabah PAS criticism of the Federal Government’s transport infrastructure priorities following the approval of more than RM21 billion in projects for Penang.

He said the more than RM21 billion cited for Penang comprised mainly large-scale infrastructure projects being implemented over several years, rather than an annual allocation handed to the state government.

“These include the RM16.8 billion Penang LRT project, as well as airport, port and cruise terminal expansion projects,” he said.

Ahmad Farid said Budget 2026 listed the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1A and 1B at RM15.9 billion, while the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phases 1 and 2 were valued at RM8.81 billion and the Trans Borneo Highway at RM2.99 billion.

“Therefore, it is inaccurate to compare the total value of Penang’s projects solely with one component of Sabah’s road maintenance allocation for a single year. If we include the full value of the Penang LRT, we must also include the full value of the mega projects being implemented in Sabah,” he said.

In the aviation sector, nearly RM500 million has been approved for the expansion of Kota Kinabalu International Airport, while RM120.9 million has been allocated to upgrade Tawau Airport.

According to him, Penang has urban transport, density and congestion problems that require a mass transit system, while Sabah is a much larger region with different geographical challenges.

“Development justice means the Federal Government must develop both based on their respective needs, while giving greater attention to narrowing Sabah’s development gap,” he added. — Bernama