The state Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation informed that the construction of the Sarawak stretch of Pan Borneo Highway from Telok Melano to Sematan has achieved practical completion by the contractor on Jan 4.

However, the new 32.77km road is not yet open for public use, the ministry said in a press statement.

It will be closed until the federal government through the federal Ministry of Works gazettes it as a federal highway.

"As anxious as all Sarawakians are about the new road to Telok Melano, members of the public are cautioned not to travel on the said road yet until it is gazetted," the statement said.

Only authorised vehicles are allowed to use the road at this point in time and that the authorities have been alerted to take action against vehicles trespassing on the road until it is gazetted and officially opened to public in the near future.

The state ministry said it seeks the cooperation of the public in this matter.