KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) is looking into the construction of a road linking the Rongod district in Sandakan to the Keningau district to help boost development in the State's central region.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the 80-km road, which would pass through the Pinangah area, was expected to cost RM320 million.

"This is a very preliminary planning stage.  But yes, we need that kind of link.  That link is very important to create a new corridor of development for the central (region) of Sabah.  My only area of concern is that we must protect the Maliau Basin and Danum Vally; ensure minimum disturbance," he told reporters at the airport here before returning to Kuala Lumpur after a two-day visit to the State.

Mohd Zin said he hoped that Sabah JKR would get the feasibility study done soon and, with the Federal Government's approval, build the road as soon as possible.

The Minister, who toured the Pensiangan and Kenaingau Parliamentary Constituencies during his visit, said would seek an additional allocation of RM150 million from the Finance Ministry to tar the Sapulut-Kalabakan road soon.

He said the Government had to bear a cost of almost RM100 million because earth had to be brought in from elsewhere to lay the road.

He also said that an immediate allocation of RM15 million had been approved for realignment of the Keningau-Kota Kinabalu road at the 43rd kilometer where a landslide had occurred. Mohd Zin said an immediate allocation of RM50 million had been approved to rehabilitate and upgrade the 100-km Telupid-Ranau road.