Raymond and delegation at the meeting.
KOTA KINABALU (July 20): Chairman of the Business Council of the Eastern ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and CEO of Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, Dr Raymond Alfred along with the deputy advisor of the Borneo Railway (Sabah Section) Planning and Development Group, Heng Zee Seow, director Edison Mun, and co-founder of Ji Neng Photovoltaic Group Co. Ltd. Calvin Wong were invited by the Overseas Engineering Branch of China Railway 14th Bureau Group to Kuala Lumpur.
They met with Tang Le, general manager of the Malaysian Branch China Railway SIYUAN Survey and Design Group Co Ltd, to discuss the feasibility study on the planning and development of the Borneo Railway (Sabah Section).
During the meeting, the parties reached three key resolutions regarding the Borneo Railway (Sabah section) namely, a collaboration with the state Railway Department where both parties will collaborate to ensure that key information is channelled to the department to support the feasibility study of the Trans Borneo Railway Sabah.
Second, identifying suitable programs such as the preparation of a development plan for a monorail and explore the potential benefits of building a railway in Sabah, including promoting economic growth, increasing employment opportunities, and improving transportation connections.
And thirdly, establishing a technical working group to support the long-term planning and feasibility study of building a railway in Sabah and prepare a plan for a pre-feasibility study report to advance the project’s implementation.
Part of the budget for this pre-feasibility study or related work within the Trans Borneo Railways (Sabah) has been approved and allocated by the government.
Raymond disclosed that after his meeting with the state Railway Department director on July 15, 2024, his technical team will continue to communicate with relevant state leaders, including the Chief Minister of Sabah and the Special Envoy of BIMP-EAGA Malaysia on the matter.
This is to ensure that the plan will be sustainably financed, supported and implemented by the State Government of Sabah, including other foreign investors.
He also highlighted the importance of adhering to all policies adopted by the State Railway Department and expressed his belief that it will become one of the significant departments in Sabah, and within the BIMP-EAGA regional area, in the next five to 10 years.
