By Chris Bishop and Shikin Louis
BINTULU, Feb 18: The Sarawak government will build an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) public transport system in Bintulu after Kuching, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the State will conduct a feasibility study for the ART line to be built in Bintulu after the first one is completed in Kuching.
“This is a huge investment, and it will connect our public transportation from Bintulu to Samalaju.
“This will also be extended towards crossing up the river once the Kemena Bridge is completed,” he said when speaking at the Progressive Democratic Party’s (PDP) Chinese New Year (CNY) Open House held here today.
On Jan 10, 2023, Abang Johari mentioned that the plan to have the ART came about, considering that Samalaju Industrial Park and Kidurong Industrial Zone will see a significant increase in workforce to about 6,000 once the methanol and hydrogen plants are up.
At that time, he also suggested that the ART project for Bintulu could be implemented after 2025, adding that the planning for the project would be much easier given that the development of ART in Kuching has commenced.
Also present at the PDP’s CNY Open House were Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and PDP president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing; Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) and Kemena assemblyman Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; PDP deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep; senior vice president Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; secretary-general Dato Anyi Ngau; Tanjung Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang; Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh; and Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa. — DayakDaily
