By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 5: It is envisioned that by 2025, the coastal road will be a seamless drive from Sematan right up to Miri as all major bridges are expected to be completed by then.
According to Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, major bridges such as the one across Batang Lupar which is expected to cost RM1 billion would be constructed by that time. Other major bridges are over Batang Saribas, Batang Krian, Batang Igan, Batang Kemena and Rambungan.
“So, as long as the bridges are done, then we will have a seamless drive from Sematan to Miri, hopefully by 2025,” Masing told reporters when commenting on State Budget 2019.
Masing, who is also Baleh assemblyman, revealed that the Kanowit-Kapit Road was expected to be completed by the third-quarter of 2020.
He said the allocation of the missing link at Song would be borne by the state government under the state budget.
On projects under his ministry that have been granted allocations, Masing assured that his ministry would implement them prudently, wisely and be guided by standard operating procedures (SOP).
“Let’s not fight who gets what, but who are capable of doing them,” he stressed.
On the second trunk road, Masing said it would be a 10-year project, with an annual allocation from the state coffers.
Meanwhile, Masing, who is also a deputy chief minister, insisted that he would ensure that all jobs under his ministry would be done according to SOP and through the stringent requirements of the Public Work Department.
“I don’t want to be guided by the opposition on what I’m supposed to do. But we must make sure it’s done properly because the beneficiaries are the people of Sarawak,” he emphasized. — DayakDaily
