KUCHING: Claims that federal allocations for three major Sarawak bridge projects in 2018 were merely reviewed or redirected should not obscure the fact that the projects were ultimately cancelled.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching Branch’s Acting Secretary and Youth Chief, Nicholas Wung Duk Ying, said the issue should be addressed based on official administrative records rather than broad political explanations.
“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had rightly pointed out that the cancellation of the Batang Lupar Bridge 1, Batang Igan Bridge, and Batang Rambungan Bridge projects had affected Sarawak’s development, forcing the state government to finance them using its own funds,” he said in a statement today.
Wung said the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) claim that the allocations were not cancelled but merely reviewed, or redirected to the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 1, was difficult to accept.
He noted that Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, had clarified it was inaccurate to say the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 1 had replaced the three bridge projects, as they served different localities and development objectives.
“Since the Works Minister has made this clear, DAP should provide a clearer explanation instead of relying on broad statements that may confuse the public,” he said.
According to Wung, the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 1 was intended to improve access to the northern interior, while the three bridge projects were designed to directly benefit communities in western and central coastal Sarawak.
He said the completion of the Batang Igan Bridge and Batang Lupar Bridge 1, together with the Batang Rambungan Bridge project reaching more than 70 per cent completion, justified the Sarawak Government’s decision to proceed with the projects using state funds.
“What the people want are completed bridges, better roads and infrastructure that truly improves their lives, not political explanations or wordplay,” he said.
Wung also backed Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew’s criticism of the Facebook page ‘ASM Network’ for allegedly crediting the MADANI government with the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 project.
He stressed that the bridge was fully funded and implemented by the Sarawak Government, and formed part of the state’s wider Coastal Road and Second Trunk Road network.
With the network completed, he said, the travelling distance between Kuching and Sibu is expected to be reduced from about 396 kilometres (km) to 252 km.
Wung said the projects reflected Sarawak’s sound financial management and commitment to infrastructure development.
“Sarawak did not go bankrupt. Instead, it has the ability to fund bridges, roads and infrastructure projects to solve real problems faced by the people,” he added.
