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KUCHING, Aug 4: A rail network will complete the transport system for Sarawak in addition to the Pan Borneo Highway and an airline amid acquisition, while a high-speed train will be the cherry on top of the cake.
This is the view of Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Dato Peter Minos who welcomes the proposed plan to set up a railway system running from Kuching to Lawas.
“We are having the Pan Borneo Highway and an airline coming. The proposed rail line will complete the transport system for Sarawak.
“If in future a high-speed train is built, like the Jakarta-Surabaya one in Indonesia by 2025, this will be really great,” said Minos in a statement today.
He said good internal transportation and communication are essential for developing Sarawak and are simply a prerequisite for social and economic development.
Citing the example of China, he said that in the last 30 years, China has developed tremendously in all aspects because it spent billions on its internal transport and communication.
“This is the modern reality. No escape from it. We can also see that in the Peninsular.”
“China has been smart and did the right thing. We cannot be wrong if we emulate China,” said Minos.
In terms of cost, he said Sarawak could do it gradually in parts as it would be impossible for Sarawak to do it in one attempt in a short period.
“We have to make a start, and from there, we move on steadily as and when we have the money.”
Sarawak Premier had announced recently that the Federal Ministry of Transport (MOT) will conduct a study on the proposed Trans-Borneo railway linking Sarawak with Indonesia and possibly Brunei.
MOT Minister Loke Anthony also affirmed yesterday that a feasibility study will be conducted soon to see the project’s viability to be implemented in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
