CM: No more ferry services in four to five years’ time
KUCHING: Sarawak would do away with all ferry services within four or five years’ time.
In stating this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government would build bridges along all the major trunk roads, including coastal highways, throughout Sarawak to replace the ferry services.
He said the decision was made by former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem, while he (Abang Johari) was only continuing with Adenan’s policy.
“Because of his policy, we have decided to proceed with the proposed construction of the bridges across all the rivers including the Batang Lupar, which was agreed by ‘Tok Nan’ (Adenan) and the previous prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“The proposed Batang Lupar bridge was supposed to be financed 50-50 by both the federal and state governments, but when Pakatan Harapan took over the government they withdrew the funding,” he told a press conference a er the earth-breaking ceremony for the sports/community hall innovative hub in Batu Kawa here yesterday.
Abang Johari said to do away
with all the ferry services, he had approved all the bridge projects and all had taken off except the Batang Lupar bridge.
He said funds had been allocated for the construction of Batang Lupar bridge and the earth-breaking ceremony would take off soon.
“I expect all these bridges,
including Batang Lupar bridge, would be completed by 2025.
“It would take about four years to complete Batang Lupar (bridge) because it is the longest – about 7km.
“The second longest bridge wouldbe the one over Batang Lassa, which is now under construction,” he added.
According to the Chief Minister, other bridges under construction now include those across Batang Paloh, Batang Lassar, Batang Saribas, Batang Krian and Sungai Kemena – and all are funded by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS)-led state government, to the tune of about RM5 billion.