‘Najib made it possible to have road to connect Kapit with rest of state’
KUCHING: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak deserves to be appreciated for being the first and only prime minister to bring about the road that will finally connect Kapit to the rest of Sarawak in over 50 years of independence.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said due to funds from Najib, motorists from Kuching and other parts of Sarawak would soon be able to drive up to Kapit and viceversa on tar-sealed road once it is completed in 2021.
He said the missing link in this RM850 million-project is the 9.6km stretch from Kanowit to Song, which is now being constructed, and is expected to be ready within the next three years.
Kanowit is already well linked to the rest of the state.
Masing also said the 45kmroad from Song to Kapit, which includes a few bridges, would be completed by July.
“Only after Najib comes in, we have the funds to connect Kapit to the rest of Sarawak. Kapit will be no more an ‘island’ within Borneo.
“Therefore, you cannot persuade people in Kapit not to vote for Najib’s leadership. He is the only one among the six prime ministers who gave us the road that will allow us to drive from Kapit to the rest of Sarawak,” he told reporters after the presentation of minor rural project ( MRP) funds to 20 people at his office here yesterday.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said he saw the progress of the road construction from a helicopter while on his way to Kapit over the weekend.
“The contractor is doing it now. I flew over it (road) and I saw movement on the ground and activities in progress. I am sure the people of Kapit are patient enough to wait another three years for this road to be completed,” he said.
He said once the road is completed it will reduce the dependency on river transport.
“The road trip from Song to Kapit, for example, may take more than 30 minutes. This means you can drive up to Kapit for coffee and shop around and return the same morning,” he said.
Meanwhile, MRP totalling RM325,000 disbursed to 20 recipients. funds were
Masing said the funds came from the first phase of MRP disbursement under the ministry, which included RM443,000 already disbursed in Kapit last weekend.
The recipients comprised various non- governmental organisations ( NGOs), whom he advised to utilise the fund wisely.
He singled out Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA), which is close to his heart. It has been receiving MRP fund from him for many years before holding his current portfolio, and is one of the best run associations in the state.
“I have become associated with SLTA. It started with a small group and no place of its own, but now it has a big venue, hosting international tournaments and has helped to produce national players,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan and SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew were also present at the function.