KK & Sabah Newsflash

Pan Borneo Highway project may need foreign contractors

Malaysia’s Ministry of Works may invite overseas companies to participate in its Pan Borneo Highway project, which is set to be completed by 2021. This is because there were only about 10 contractors within the state who met the required experience, financial strength and technical expertise to undertake the said project, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The toll-free highway project covers 1,236 km and costs RM 12.86 billion. Due to the project’s vast area and the lack of qualified contractors in Sabah, the Ministry is considering joint ventures between Sabah and overseas companies and awarding of fewer packages with larger coverage areas.

Fadillah expressed that the joint venture option might be useful to local companies as it can help them with capital, technicalities and experience. If the appointment of packages will be finalized by the end of this year, the construction works could start by 2018. However, nothing has been finalized yet.

Sabah’s illegal immigrants to receive valid work permits

Good news to Filipinos and Indonesians in Malaysia! Illegal immigrants in Sabah can now apply for valid work permits. This is part of a 6-month rehiring programme undertaken by the government, an initiative which will help address the shortage of labor in the agriculture, plantation, construction, manufacturing and service sectors. Moreover, this will help the government to monitor the number of illegal immigrants in the country for security purposes.

However, the said program comes with strict conditions for both immigrants and employers. “The rehiring programme will be carried out in a cautious and controlled manner to ensure that no fraud occurs,” said Immigration Director Musa Salaiman. To qualify for the program, he said that immigrants must have proper records of early admission into the country. They must also have no criminal record.

Syarikat Inti Padu Technology is appointed by the government appointed to oversee and carry out the programme for registration for employment and resettlement of illegal immigrants. This program starts today.

For further information  please call