‘Federal, Sarawak govts still talking on bridge projects’
KUCHING: Discussion between the federal and Sarawak governments on the construction of Batang Lupar bridge is ongoing.
Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the on-going discussion was also about the other bridge projects, which were supposed to be fully funded by the previous BN federal government.
“Yes, communication is going on between Sarawak, through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, and the federal government, particularly on the Batang Lupar bridge, which was agreed to be built on 50- 50 basis,” Julaihi told reporters when visiting the Sg Bako bridge project yesterday.
He thus hoped that the new
Yes, communication is going on between Sarawak, through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, and the federal government, particularly on the Batang Lupar bridge, which was agreed to be built on 50-50 basis.
Pakatan Harapan federal government would proceed with the projects based on the previous agreement because the 5km-bridge is strategically located along the coastal road.
“More than 20,000 vehicles are using the ferry service at Triso ( location of the proposed Batang Lupar bridge) at the moment, and the number is increasing, which indicates that there is a real need for the construction of the bridge,” he said.
Julaihi, who is also Sebuyau assemblyman, added that Rambungan and Igan bridges were fully funded federal projects under the previous administration.
On the RM41.29 million Sg Bako Bridge, Julaihi said it was a Sarawak- funded project to connect coastal areas in line with the ‘go rural’ policy of the Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Rakyat (GPS).
The 280 metre-bridge is expected to be completed on Oct 12 this year, to benefit more than 5,000 people from Kpg Bako Ulu, Kpg Bako Tengah and Kpg Bako Hilir.
He said the project would provide opportunities to the locals to develop their idle land, and increase the socio- economy.
Meanwhile, Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Hipni, who was also present during the visit, said people in the constituency were anxiously waiting for the ( bridge) project to be completed.
He agreed with Julaihi that the project would help the locals enhance their socio- economic status.
He also pointed out that the project would enable the government to open up more areas for affordable housing schemes in the area.
Kuching Resident Ismail Mohamad Hanis and senior staff of Public Works Department (JKR) were also present during the visit.
Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road