Work together on deferred bridge projects, NGO tells federal, S’wak govts

KUCHING: The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) Sarawak chapter wants Putrajaya and the Sarawak government to ‘seriously discuss’ the deferment of the Rambungan, Batang Lupar and Batang Igan bridge construction projects.

Its president Muhammad Hazim Azhari said the nongovernmental organisation is disappointed with the polemics of Works Minister Baru Bian, that the federal government lacks the funds to complete the projects which were approved by the previous administration.

“The people understand the financial constraints faced by the federal government to the extent that it has to review several big projects.

“However, the term ‘ financial constraint’ as justification to postpone the needs of the people in general is too simplistic a view. Even if postponement is needed, it should have been supported by a more convincing analysis on cost effectiveness,” he said in a statement.

During a recent visit to Mukah, Baru was reportedly saying that the construction of the three coastal bridges had been postponed pending review, due to financial constraint faced by Putrajaya.

In response, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said even though the projects would now proceed under the 2019 State Budget using state funds, Baru being a Sarawakian should understand better the need for the federal government to chip in to assist the Sarawak government’s effort to provide better road connectivity to the people.

Muhammad Hazim, meanwhile, urged leaders from Sarawak work closely with their federal counterparts to meet the people’s needs and expectations, as Sarawakians still need basic facilities like good and efficient land connectivity.