Kalabakan–Simanggaris Road: Sabah's New Link to Indonesia
What is the Kalabakan–Simanggaris road?
It is a planned new 28 km road from Kalabakan in south-east Sabah to Simanggaris on the Indonesian border in North Kalimantan, included in Malaysia's Budget 2026. In July 2025 the state Works Minister said the preliminary study and design had been approved and field work such as surveying was under way. No completion date has been published.
What is the Kalabakan–Simanggaris road?
The Budget 2026 speech, tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 10 October 2025, lists the "construction of a new 28-kilometre road from Kalabakan, Sabah to Simanggaris, Indonesia" among measures to improve basic infrastructure at the country's borders. It also appears in the speech's list of new projects for Sabah as a road from Kalabakan to Simanggaris at the Malaysia–Indonesia border.
The 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030) says Malaysia and Indonesia are working together on the planning of the Kalabakan to Simanggaris road project, as part of improving access in border areas.
Some commentary has described the road as about 45 km. We use the 28 km figure given in the Budget 2026 speech and by the state Works Minister.
How far along is it?
In the Sabah State Assembly on 7 July 2025, Deputy Chief Minister and state Works Minister Shahelmey Yahya said:
- the 28 km Kalabakan–Simanggaris link, which includes a 20 km spur road connecting Kampung Serudong Laut, was approved under the Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan;
- the federal Works Ministry had approved the preliminary study and project design;
- field work, such as land surveying, utility mapping and land inspections, was ongoing.
Status as of September 2026: the road is included in Budget 2026. We have not found a published construction start date, contract award, cost or completion date, or official details of the border post on the Indonesian side.
Why is it being built?
The Budget 2026 speech places it among measures to support economic activity at Malaysia's borders by improving basic infrastructure. The 13th Malaysia Plan also records RM1 billion approved for developing Sabah–Sarawak–Kalimantan border areas during the 12th Plan. See what the 13th Malaysia Plan promises Sabah for the other roads in the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Q How long is the Kalabakan–Simanggaris road?
Q Where is Simanggaris?
Q When will the Kalabakan–Simanggaris road be finished?
Sources & References 3 sources
Last verified: 27 September 2026
Official sources
- Ministry of Finance: Budget 2026 speech (10 Oct 2025) Para 62: "construction of a new 28-kilometre road from Kalabakan, Sabah to Simanggaris, Indonesia"; also listed among new projects for Sabah ("Construction of a new road from Kalabakan to Simanggaris (Malaysia-Indonesia border)").
- Thirteenth Malaysia Plan 2026-2030 (Ministry of Economy) Printed p.3-24: RM1 billion approved in the 12th Plan for Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border areas. Printed p.3-26: Malaysia and Indonesia planning the Kalabakan to Simanggaris road project.