KUCHING: Land transport industry players, including bus and lorry operators, have been urged to form a consortium to manage and operate Rest & Service Areas (RSAs) along the Pan Borneo Highway via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Minister for Transport Sarawak (MOTS), Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, highlighted that as primary users of these facilities, industry players are best positioned to understand the operational needs of both everyday motorists and commercial vehicle drivers.
“A PPP approach would enable the development of well-managed, commercially sustainable RSAs that not only provide quality services and enhance road safety, but also create new business opportunities for the transport industry,” Lee said.
He said this when officiating a dialogue and engagement session on the planning and enhancement of RSAs and layby facilities along the Pan Borneo Highway at Hilton Kuching on Wednesday (July 29).
The engagement session brought together representatives from MOTS, the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak, the Road Transport Department (RTD) Sarawak, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak, as well as associations representing bus and lorry operators and other land transport stakeholders.
Among the key issues discussed were proposed locations for new RSAs and lay-bys, as well as the facilities required to better serve road users, including petrol stations, vehicle servicing and repair workshops, pharmacies, food and beverage outlets, clean washrooms and sufficient parking spaces for heavy vehicles.
Lee described the Pan Borneo Highway as a vital transport corridor for Sarawak, stressing that its RSAs must be strategically located and equipped with facilities that meet the practical needs of all road users.
“Well-planned Rest and Service Areas are more than just stopping points. They are an essential part of a safe, efficient and reliable road transport network.
“By working together with industry players, we can ensure these facilities are developed in a way that benefits both road users and the wider transport sector,” he said.
Lee also thanked participating agencies and industry representatives for their constructive feedback and active participation during the engagement session.
The feedback and recommendations gathered will be compiled and evaluated by PWD Sarawak before proposals are prepared for the development of new RSAs and lay-bys at strategic locations along the Pan Borneo Highway.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Transport I (Land and Aviation), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil; CVLB Sarawak’s Director, Cornelia Wong Chui; MOTS Land Transport and Logistics Section Head, Chong Chi Fam; and representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development, and PWD Sarawak.
