KUCHING, Jan 25: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that more than RM200 million will be allocated for the deepening of Batang Baram’s delta access channel.
Abang Johari stated this tonight at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Miri Division Chinese New Year Dinner, which was held at Mega Hotel Miri in Miri.
“I had a meeting with the Miri Port Authority (MPA), and we will allocate more than RM200 million for the Baram channel.
“Once completed, it will be of benefit to the people of Miri, as it will increase the flow rate of water to the sea, and it may reduce the frequency of flooding in Baram,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Minister for Transport Sarawak (MOTS) Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Miri to Sarawak Premier for approving the deepening of Batang Baram’s delta access channel, a long-awaited project for Miri.
“Once completed, the project will help to boost the activities of industries in Kuala Baram as well as the growth of Small and Medium-Sized Industries (SMIs).
“It will cater for shipyards to build larger ships, ship repair and maintenance, as well as a fabrication and operation centre for offshore support vessels and bulk cargoes, to name a few.
“It will also help to reduce shipping, transportation, and logistics costs. It may also help to reduce flooding in the Marudi and upper Baram areas,” Lee added.
Furthermore, on the transformation of Miri city, Abang Johari stated that Miri is becoming a smart city.
“We are injecting digitalisation into Miri city to provide services to the people of Miri, as well as visitors to Miri,” he disclosed.
Among others present at the event were Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, SUPP Honorary president Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. — DayakDaily
