By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Nov 20: The 73.8-kilometre Trans Borneo Highway project faces delays as the Land and Survey Department (JTS) awaits the allocation of RM194.45 million from the Federal government for land acquisition.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development II (MUDeNR) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the construction work could not progress as scheduled in November 2024 due to the failure to channel the necessary funds.
Meanwhile, for the Second Trunk Road/Coastal Highway project, the JTS has completed the land reclamation for the 255.6-kilometre stretch of road.
For the Sarawak Sabah Link Road (SSLR) project, Awang Tengah said that funds amounting to RM300 million have been channelled to the JTS for land reclamation.
“The land reclamation process for the 122-kilometre stretch of road will be completed by the end of this year (2014) while the remaining 275.5-kilometres will be completed in 2025,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
On the other hand, the JTS has completed the reclamation of land of the six kilometres stretch of road for the Northern Coastal Highway project at the end of 2023 with the remaining 82.7 kilometres of road alignment requiring a total fund of RM140 million.
“I call on all implementing agencies of the Sarawak and Federal government to ensure that sufficient funds are provided and channelled immediately to the JTS for the purpose of finalising the land reclamation process,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
