KK & Sabah News-Flash

Sepanggar Tunnel Opens on Saturday

The Sepanggar Tunnel, Sabah’s first twin tunnel, will be opened on Saturday for road users.  It cuts through several hills and users will now travel between the Sepanggar port and the state capital at a much shorter time.  The project amounted to RM81.5 million and was included in the Sabah Development Corridor.  It also has a 2.5 kilometer highway.  Its implementation was done by the Azam Jaya Group under the supervision of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia).

In his speech delivered by Deputy Chief Minister cum State Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joeph Pairin Kitingan during the launching of the tunnel on Tuesday, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said this project will be a boost in Sabah’s economic development, especially in the manufacturing, export-import operations and logistics sectors.  The shorter travel time and distance in bringing goods to Sepanggar port will speed up operation and movement of container vans, especially that the government is planning to expand the port.

Musa also said that this route will greatly reduce traffic congestion at the Jalan Telum Sepanggar and travel time can be cut short by about 15 minutes.  Furthermore, there are also plans to widen the Universiti Malaysia Sabah-Sulaman road due to increased traffic once the federal government can have funds for it.

On his part, Pairin said that the state is willing to identify other locations suitable for tunnel roads.  Although its construction was more costly, tunnel roads have long-term durability and low maintenance costs.  And unlike hill side roads, it is not affected by landslides.

Maritime Safety App for Enhancement

The Royal Malaysian Navy will be working with telecommunications service providers in order for its K3M mobile application will be enhanced.  The app was designed to improve naval security through participation of the maritime communities.

According to Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Monday, the navy and Telekom Malaysia is already coordinating with each other, working on the app to be used through satellite signals.  This is included in the second phase of the development, expected to start this month, aimed for the app to reach more areas.

The app was launched in March at the 2017 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition.  Intended to be used by maritime communities, the app allows its users to communicate directly with the Navy or the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), such as sending reports on suspicious activities or asking for assistance in case of emergency.

Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman also said that this concept can be used by other countries for solutions to their maritime security issues, with the app currently used by over 4,000 residents and can be downloaded for free in iPhone and Android units.

RMAF to Hold Exercise, Planes May Fly Low

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is holding an exercise starting Tuesday, November 14, and has issued a statement to the public that their aircrafts may be flying low.  The Paradise Series 4/2017 Exercise will be based at the Labuan Air Base and several areas in Sabah airspace have been identified as locations for the exercise.  In these locations, RMAF aircraft will be flying low at certain hours of the day and night.

The exercise is needed to ensure that capabilities and preparedness of the armed forces are at the best level for the protection of the sovereignty of the country’s airspace.