Abg Johari not bothered about See’s view on Second Trunk Road project
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg seems adamant in implementing Sarawak government’s decision to go through with the proposed Second Trunk Road project.
Approached by journalists yesterday after launching Majlis Qurban Aidiladha at the PBB Satok branch along Jalan Kulas here, he said there was no need for Sarawak government to react to the recent comments or suggestions made by See Chee How, who has been appointed as special officer to Minister of Works Baru Bian.
When asked whether his administration would consider prioritising the implementation of other infrastructure development projects over the proposed Second Trunk Road project, Abang Johari replied: “That’s the decision of Sarawak government.”
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) president repeated “That’s our decision” twice when commenting on the subject matter.
When prompted further, Abang Johari said: “No need to respond lah”.
Last Sunday, See, who is Batu Lintang assemblyman and Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Sarawak vice chairman, told a news conference that the rush to implement the proposed Second Trunk Road project smacked strongly of poor governance and compromised Sarawak’s integrity in financial management, thereby putting the state and Sarawakians’ interest at stake.
He said there is a need to prioritise and take into consideration the numerous needs for provision of other basic amenities and infrastructural development and also the budgetary strength and constraints.
The proposed Second Trunk Road is said to provide alternative shorter routes to Pan Borneo Highway and the Coastal Road Network.
During the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting last month, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said the proposed project consisted of three sections.
The first section is from Kota Samarahan to Roban, which is about 112 kilometres of single carriageway JKR R5 two-lane highway.
The second section links Sebuyau to Sri Aman/ Betong, which is approximately 94 kilometres of single carriageway JKR R5 twolane highway.
The third and last section includes the upgrading of the existing Jalan Kelupu/Jalan Tanjung Genting to Lanang Bridge, Sibu from two lanes to four lanes JKR R5 highway.
According to See, the Coastal Road is a shorter route to travel between Kota Samarahan and Sibu, taking the exit above Debak to continue the journey on the Pan Borneo Highway.
However, he added, for Sri Aman and Betong, where most parts of the proposed Second Trunk Road will lead to, the use of the proposed trunk road will lengthen the route by 70km.
Given this, he advised Abang Johari to seek an independent opinion on the proposed project and reach his own conclusion whether there is really a need for the Second Trunk Road to be constructed.
See also claimed that the proposed Second Trunk Road project “is coming short in design and planning, soil investigation, survey and risk assessment”, adding that the work scopes “are broadened and exaggerated to jack-up the project cost”.
The most evident part, he said, quoting some consultants and contractors, is the single carriageway JKR R5 two-lane highway for the first two sections which may justify R3- standard instead of R5 highway.