By Karen Bong and Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 11: Construction of the RM6 billion autonomous rapid transit (ART) system in Kuching is expected to begin next month (September).
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in revealing this, emphasised that a proper and effective public transportation system is an important component to push Sarawak’s economy towards further growth.
“It is also very important in the development of real estate, especially the emerging areas (in Kuching). This will provide opportunities as well as meet the needs of the people who are homebuyers.
“We want to develop the suburbs of Kuching with focus including on Bau, Matang, Jalan Song and beyond. These are the areas that will be expanding right up to Samarahan. So it is very important to have connectivity along these areas,” he said when addressing the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards 2022 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night.
Abang Johari also mentioned that another area to prop up Sarawak’s economy is the development of basic infrastructure including the Second Trunk Road and bridges that will expand connectivity throughout Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government had announced that the ART system would be built in Kuching before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. It hopes to keep the timeline on track for commercial operation sometime in 2025 and completion of the project for the whole of Kuching by 2027.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing Datu Penguang Manggial, Deputy Minister of Local Government Michael Tiang, Sheda president Augustine Wong and organising chairman of the Sheda Excellence Awards Dato Ir Sr Alex Ting were among those present. — DayakDaily
