The missing links
now I prefer the coastal road,” said Muhammad.
For Muhammad, the ferry crossing means a long wait but for the state government, ferry crossing means heavy subsidies. The state government has to foot a RM35 million bill annually to subsidise the seven ferry crossing services just along the coastal road.
“To me, building bridges is not throwing money into the rivers because bridges and roads will pay for themselves. What is throwing money in rivers is paying for the ferry services,” said Masing at a press conference at Pusa District Office yesterday.
Masing seems to be keen to fill in the missing links by building bridges instead of continuing to rely on ferry crossings.
Presently, Batang Sadong Bridge is already completed while Samarahan Bridge is still in progress.
In order to link Kuching to Bintulu by the coastal road, bridges must be built over seven rivers ( excluding small ones) — Sungai Rambungan, Batang Lupar, Sungai Saribas, Sungai Krian, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa and Batang Igan.
Three bridges are at the planning stage. The federal government has agreed to fund bridges for Sungai Rambungan ( RM130 million) and Batang Igan ( RM305 million), and half of the Batang Lupar Bridge which will cost RM1 billion.
“For the Batang Lupar Bridge, the state and federal government will share the cost of construction, meaning RM500 million each. Once it is completed, it will be the longest river bridge not only in Sarawak but Malaysia with its length of 5 km,” said Masing.
A total of RM3.135 billion is estimated to be needed to complete all seven bridges as well as the missing link connecting Sarikei to Tanjung Manis Road.
However, for Masing, Sarawak really needs more connectivity and if the building of roads and bridges can create marked economic development, then they deserve to be upgraded.
“We have travelled on the road and we have seen how people use the land along the road to plant vegetables and fruits. We did not pass through all the jungle. People have opened their land for agriculture, so the road is worth upgrading to allow the people to take advantage of the road to further expand their economic activities,” said Masing.
It is a fact there is a vast disparity between infrastructure development in Peninsular Malaysia and that in Sarawak. While its counterpart is enjoying mass rapid transit ( MRT) services, Sarawak which has been producing oil and gas to fuel the nation’s development is still relying on ferries for river crossings and struggling to upgrade a single-lane coastal road.
What Masing said is true: “Sarawakians are too kind. We should now raise our hands higher to ask for more.”
There has been general frustration over the long-term neglect of Sarawak’s development where the revenue earned from oil and gas produced here has been channelled to the peninsula for its development.
Though Sarawak is a peaceful and friendly state, it is high time that Sarawak’s people, especially the coastal residents, make it known that we deserve better and more.
That is why, apart from all intentions to link the coastal road as well as to upgrade the Pan Borneo Highway, the state government is hoping to build a second trunk road, linking Samarahan to Roban in the first phase and Sebuyau to Sri Aman/ Betong in the second phase.