The remaining 27 packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah are in design stage and the supply tender process will be completed before the end of 2017, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Pairin, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development, said construction of the first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah was on schedule with a total of 35 work packages, of which five packages are in construction stage.

He said all the five packages were awarded to five local contractors as promised.

"The first phase is expected to be completed by December 31, 2021 with a total cost of RM12.86 billion.”

Pairin said they were also in the midst of securing three packages, namely the Beaufort-Bongawan, Putatan-Inanam and Inanam-Sepanggar packages.

He said that in the State Legislative Assembly sitting when replying to Elopura assemblyman Datuk Au Kam Wah and Bongawan assemblyman Datuk Mohamad bin Haji Alamin's questions on the project.

The five work packages currently under construction are:

1. The Sindumin-Kampung Melalia package which began on May 15, 2017 and expected to be completed on May 14, 2020. Work progress is at two per cent to date;

2. The Papar-Donggongon package which started on July 31, 2016 and is expected to be completed on July 30, 2019, with the work progress at 22.3 per cent;

3. The Balung-Semporna package which started on July 22, 2016 and is slated to be done by October 21, 2017. Work progress is at 30.2 per cent;

4. The Lahad Datu Bypass package which started on December 7, 2016 and is expected to be completed on December 6, 2018. Work progress is at 7.23 per cent to date; and

5. The Kampung Lot M-Mile 2 Sandakan package which began on May 2, 2017 and expected to be done by May 1, 2020. Work progress at two per cent.

On the other hand, Pairin dismissed claims by Chan Foong Hin (DAP-Sri Tanjong) that construction on phase one of the Pan Borneo Highway project was behind schedule.

Chan pointed out that only 1/7 or five out of the total work packages for phase one have been executed and he expressed concern that the remaining packages would have to be rushed in the next four years to meet the deadline.

Pairin said there were certain procedures to follow in implementing the project, which took time.

"We do not have a magic wand to flick and make everything happen.

"We are focusing on completing the tender and appointment of contractors for all the 35 packages this year.

"We hope to appoint the contractors for all the 35 packages by the end of this year and start work.”