KUCHING, September 1: The state’s light rail transit (LRT) project has been postponed and not scrapped as reported, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The LRT project is still much in the cards and will be implemented by the state, except that it is not a priority for now, when compared to providing water supply and road infrastructure to the rural areas, he added.
Abang Johari, visibly irritated when asked to confirm whether the LRT project had been scrapped, told the press conference that the news report was “fake news”.
“I did not say ‘scrapped’. What I said was ‘postponed’, but it came out ‘scrapped’. Some reporters are very smart, they know how to twist things around.
“I said ‘tangguh’ (postponed) because I said I was giving priority to rural areas, to provide water and roads,” he told reporters after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting here today.
The PBB president said after completing the water supply and road infrastructure projects, then the state would focus on LRT.
An online news portal reported a source saying that Abang Johari had called off the LRT project to focus on rural development, during a closed-door meeting with 72 Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives on Thursday (Aug 30).
During the Hi-Tea reception in Miri yesterday to commemorate National Day, the chief minister was asked to confirm whether the LRT project had been scrapped.
“There are many fake news. I did not say that (to scrap LRT project). Some people just twisted things around but to be fair, there are those who support me and there are those who are pro PH (Pakatan Harapan), but please be responsible,” said Abang Johari.
On the application status of GPS, he said all required documents had been submitted and are now pending approval.
“We have submitted all the required documents and are being given due consideration, meaning there is no objection. We are only waiting for official approval, as I have said before,” he said. — DayakDaily
