KUCHING, Nov 2: Minister of Works Baru Bian thanks Putrajaya for allowing the continuation of the Pan Borneo Highway projects.
In a statement earlier, Baru who is also Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman, said the infrastructure development budget was increased from RM3.763 billion this year to RM6.115 billion next year.
“This increment also involves the federal government’s continuous focus on the Pan Borneo Highway project which include RM1 billion for Sarawak and Sabah respectively, the Central Spine Road project including the Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai road (RM600 million), the bantuan Mudah Kerajaan to finance six ongoing highway projects (RM1 billion), and the balance to finance 208 ongoing road projects as well as new projects,” he said.
The Works Ministry’s Management Budget for 2019 was lesser at RM1.048 billion compared to 2018 at RM2.004 billion, Baru added.
“Among the things included in the Ministry’s Management Budget that would be affected by the budget reduction would be the allocation for maintenance of federal roads.
“However the ministry believes that allocation for maintenance of federal roads would be allocated separately by means of Ministry of Finance,” he assured.
For overall road maintenance, Baru said 2019 allocation would be RM2.4 billion nationwide involving some 17,500km federal roads nationwide.
He also thanked the Ministry of Finance for abolishing toll charges for motorcycles at the First and Second Penang Bridge, and Johor-Singapore Link.
Baru noted that urban tolls would also be abolished in 2019, involving cost of RM700 million, which would help reduce the financial burden of road users. — DayakDaily
