By Adrian Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7: Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni has called on the Federal Transport Ministry to assist the Sarawak government on the development of the urban public rail transportation system.
He believed the Federal Transport Ministry can share knowledge and technology know-how to the Sarawak government on how to build an efficient rail transportation system in the urban area.
“The Sarawak government has decided to implement the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) as a public transportation system in the urban area.
“Nonetheless, I believe the federal government did not provide a focused approach to assist the state government in developing the rail transportation system.
“I have checked that under Article 74 and Ninth Schedule List 10(b) of the Federal Constitution, the development of railways in the country is within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
“The Federal Transport Minister has the power over the development of railway and research and development for railways projects under the Railways Act 1991.
“Therefore, I request the federal government through a large allocation for the Transport Ministry to share knowledge and technical know-how as well as to provide some funding to the state government in developing the rail transportation system,” he said in his debate speech for 2021 Budget for the Transport Ministry at Parliament today.
He hoped the allocation for the Transport Ministry under 2021 Budget will be channelled for the development of public transportation systems in rural areas and not just focused on public transportation in the city centre especially Kuala Lumpur.
On another note, he raised the issue of the ban of single hull single bottom tanker ship which was disallowed to transport cargoes especially petrol in Sarawak rivers.
He noted the ban has affected approximately 119 single hull single bottom tanker ships under the Sarawak Association of Maritime Association (Samin) and Sabah Shipowners Association (SSSA).
Hence, Lukanisman hoped that the Transport Ministry can provide an exemption to shipping industry players because they transport essential goods to the community in the coastal area and also involved in the economic activity in particular oil palm plantation. — DayakDaily
