By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 13: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development is seeking federal funding under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to implement the Border Security Road network estimated to cost RM24 billion.
Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing emphasised that the proposed Border Security Road to enhance border security will span 1,032 kilometres.
“The proposed Border Security Road will originate from Biawak to Lubok Antu passing through Kapit division and Upper Baram river and then to Bario and finally to be connected to the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road.
The completion of the Border Security Road will enable us to better safeguard and protect our multi-billion-ringgit assets such as the Sarawak-Sabah Gas Pipeline and four of our hydro-electric power dams namely Bakun, Murum, Baleh and Batang Ai Dams, all of which are situated adjacent to our international border with Indonesia,” he told the august House in his winding-up speech today.
On ports development, Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, revealed that all ports in Sarawak except Rajang Port Authority (RPA) have experienced an increase of cargo throughput from 0.95 million tonnes in 2019 to 0.98 million tonnes in 2020.
“Kuching Port, Miri Port, Tanjung Manis Port and Samalaju Port have all experienced decrease in cargo handling as of Sept 30 this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In order to remain competitive, several development projects for ports in Sarawak have been planned to improve their capacity and security,” he said.
He informed that the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for Kuching Port Authority was approved earlier this year and expected to be in operation by the end of 2021.
“For the other ports, this will come in stages.
“The installation of AtoN (Aids to Navigations) at Batang Rajang (Tanjung Manis Port) is expected to be in operation by the end of 2021,” he added. — DayakDaily
