NAJIB Razak’s claim that the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah has been abandoned is untrue, said Peter Anthony.

The state infrastructure development minister said the project is ongoing despite the contract of its concessionaire company being terminated following a controversy.

He dismissed the insinuation that the project was a gift from the previous Barisan Nasional administration to Sabahans, saying its implementation is the responsibility of the federal government.

“They (BN) claim it is a gift from them, but they should not forget that proceeds from Sabah were taken to Kuala Lumpur, and (these proceeds) actually funded the Pan Borneo Highway,” he told reporters after Christmas and New Year celebrations in Kimanis yesterday.

The Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president was commenting on the former prime minister’s reported remarks that Pakatan Harapan is blocking efforts to transform the state’s economy by dropping the highway project.

Peter expressed confidence that the Kadazandusun Murut community in Kimanis will vote for the Warisan candidate in the constituency’s January 18 by-election.

BN and its lynchpin, Umno, have long had the opportunity to develop Sabah, but failed to do so, he added.

The by-election is a straight fight between Warisan’s Karim Bujang and BN’s Mohamad Alamin. – Bernama, January 5, 2020.