THE state government has set aside about RM2 million for a 12-month feasibility study on the expansion of the railway track from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat, said Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Peter Anthony. 

He said the study will begin early next year. 

“At the moment, the ministry is in the midst of finalising the tender process and expects to call for tenders at the end of the year,” said Anthony during question time at the state legislative assembly today.

“The Sabah Railway Department is also making early preparations towards the expansion of the railway track such as preparing new positions for maintenance and operations.”

Sabah aims to expand the Kota Kinabalu-Tenom rail line to Kudat, involving 175km of track, in the next three years at a cost of RM5.2 billion.  

Currently about 1,000 commuters use the train service daily to get to work.

The railway service is an important mode of transport for agricultural cargo in the west coast and interior divisions to the state’s key markets.

The expansion of track to Kudat could assist in the export of local goods as the district is tipped to be a key port. 

Anthony said the Railway Department was initiating cooperation with the Transport Ministry, KTM Bhd and Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation to share technical know-how.

Anthony said the ministry had also taken steps to improve the safety of the tracks, including building fences, and stationed personnel at trail posts to curb accidents.

He said the previous Sabah government did not take train accidents seriously during its
more than 20-year rule. 

“Instead, in the previous government, a deputy director of the railway department was charged in court by the anti-corruption commission over some RM3 million in public funds,” he said. 

Anthony said the RM5.2 billion budget for the track expansion did not mean that the Warisan-led government would neglect the roads, which were in bad condition.

The questions were posed by Isnin Aliasnih (Bersatu-Klias) and Joniston Bangkuai (PBS-Kiulu). – August 6, 2019.