The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation is giving full support to Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) dream.

Its minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said even before Abang Johari announced the vision, the ministry had held internal discussions on the matter.

“We had discussed it within the ministry. But we did not make it public. And then the chief minister announced his plan. It shows that we are all on the same page.

“LRT is a necessity and we have the potential to have it. The LRT may link Serian to Kuching, Kuching to Kota Samarahan and perhaps Damai. It is a good proposal,” Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He said detailed studies needed to be conducted before he could come up with the actual route or routes.

However, he stressed that Kuching would remain to be the converging point. He said since Sarawak has acquired the Bakun hydroelectric dam, electricity from the dam could be used to power up the LRT.

“We have the clean energy and we are in control of it. It can be used to power our LRT. With LRT, we can reduce not only traffic but also pollution from vehicles on the road,” Masing pointed out.

On the possibility of completing the LRT within three years, Masing said that was not the main issue.

“Yes, to come up with a LRT within three years would be very tight. However, we do need to get it started. We are far behind already. Whether to complete it within three years or four years, it does not matter.  The timeline is set to make us moving and to keep us going,” said Masing.

Masing was asked to comment on the possibility of materialising the dream of having LRT in Kuching within three years.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Borneo Post

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]