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By Ashley Sim & Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 4: It doesn’t matter whether the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen-powered vehicle looks like a bus or a train; what matters is the power it uses, according to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier emphasised that the ART prototype vehicle, which smoothly traversed the Isthmus area here during an engineering test drive on Aug 23, has received diverse feedback from the public. Some individuals have likened the vehicle to a bus or a train.
“I know that when people see this ART, they think it’s the same as a bus or a train. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bus or a train; what matters is the power used.
“If it (ART) uses hydrogen, it can accommodate 300 passengers, why not? We don’t care if it’s like a bus or a train. This is a hybrid of a bus and a train. Why not use it for the sake of the environment?” he said during the opening of the ‘2023 World Green and Sustainability Summit: Building a Better Future through Green Growth’ held today at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here.
He went on to say, “Actually, our plan was (to have) LRT (light rail transit), but I went to Germany and China and saw this technology (ART).
“So, we learned from China. We studied and engaged with China, and Sarawak perhaps will be the first to use this (ART) in this region.”
Abang Johari also stated that the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project will cost approximately RM6 billion and is entirely funded by the Sarawak government.
“The KUTS project when ready will use a hydrogen-powered ART system. It will be a hybrid of trains, buses, and trams.
“KUTS ART Phase 1 will involve two lines, namely Samarahan and Serian lines that will cover 53km in southern Sarawak,” he added.
Also present at the event were Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Meesty) Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific chairman Tan Sri Abdul Majid Khan; KSI president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh; UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei executive director Faroze Nadar; World Green Organisation founder and president Albert Oung; and other dignitaries. — DayakDaily
