By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Feb 1: Pan Borneo Highway contractors must erect proper road signages at strategic locations along construction areas to ensure the safety of road users, especially during the next few days before the Chinese New Year on Feb 5.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing also hoped that motorists should abide by road regulations to ensure that they arrive at their destinations safety to celebrate the festivity.
“Like the Malay saying `Biar lambat asal selamat’, I hope road users will exercise patience and drive safely along the roads in Sarawak, especially along the Pan Borneo Highway, which is under construction,” Masing told Dayakdaily today.
He was commenting on the many road accidents along the highway, including the one where a big biker collided head-on with a bus in Sarikei yesterday: The accident resulted in the bus being engulfed in flames as a result of the impact, and the big biker perished.
Recently, Works Minister Baru Bian said he was confident that the RM16.49 billion Pan Borneo Highway would be completed by June 2021. The mammoth project involves the construction of 115 bridges, 25 elevated interchanges, three rest and services areas, and six lay-bys.
Masing, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, also hoped that airline companies would mount extra flights to allow the Chinese to celebrate their new year with their families.
“On this auspicious occasion, we do hope that the airlines will provide extra flights to various destinations in Sarawak. This way, families can get reunited during the Chinese New Year,” he said.
On a related issue, Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, advised express boat operators not to allow their boats to be overcrowded by passengers due to the long holiday. — DayakDaily
