CM pol-sec defends Masing over issues related to proposed trunk road project
KUCHING: Political secretary to chief minister Charles Chad Nissom has defended Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing regarding the discrepancies in the latter’s statements concerning the proposed Second Trunk Road project for Sarawak.
According to Charles, the Sarawak government is serious and committed in constructing roads meant to provide better connectivity to rural Sarawakians, whom he believes deserve to enjoy the same public amenities as those available in the urban areas.
Therefore the proposed trunk road system, said Charles, should help to solve the problem of rural inaccessibility in the near future.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, was pointed out by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How for providing contradictory statements about the road projects on two occasions.
In a press conference last Friday, See claimed that Masing had breached his privilege in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for presenting on a news portal information about the proposed trunk road project that was different from the one he provided for the DUN.
See also said he had lodged a complaint to DUN Sarawak Speaker over this alleged breach of privilege.
“The recent remarks by the learned assemblyman, YB See Chee How, show his failure to understand how relevant the concept of ‘connectivity by roads’ is to the rural folk, who are not asking for much,” said Charles.
“Our Deputy Chief Minister YB Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing has neither contradicted himself nor the Sarawak government’s intentions for advocating the proposed trunk road system as the only viable option of accessibility left for us to reach out to the rural folk.
“We are both amused and perturbed by the recent statements made by YB See Chee How on issues related to the technicalities and specifications of the proposed road projects, of which only a qualified road engineer should be in a better knowledge of such matters.
“But essentially, every road construction is different and the preparations must take into accounts the unique or varying demography of the landscapes where the roads are to be constructed, as well as the aspects of contingencies involved.”
Therefore, Charles said See’s contention regarding the differences in lengths, the distances in kilometres or even the travelling time, is ‘ not a matter of substantial significance for now’ because the crux of the issue remains on how relevance the overall connectivity via roads is, and for it to be delivered to the rural populace.
“Such contention shall not take precedence over priority. The bottom-line is road access must be built for the rural folk.
“I therefore urge YB See Chee How to explore further, within his position or appointment, now that he is on a better assignment to further assist Sarawak and the local people in getting the fullest support in funding for the proposed project.”