KUCHING: Sarawak Lorries Transport Association (SLTA) has urged the state government to upgrade the Pan-Borneo Trunk Road to highway standard using its own funds, rather than waiting for allocations from its federal counterpart.
Speaking at SLTA’s Lunar New Year dinner here last Saturday, its president Jong Foh Jit said the government should also increase lorry’s maximum laden weight and help resolve lorry drivershortage problems.
Jong said he believed the natural resource-rich state had the capacity and capability to upgrade the trunk road on its own.
“It is disappointing that road conditions in the state remained poor, even after nearly half a century of independence.
“Many people in the peninsula do not know how bad road conditions are in Sarawak. Our trunk road is still single carriage way, there are no road lights, and its condition is deteriorating significantly, especially during rainy days, and often causing serious car accidents.”
Jong, who is also Pan-Malaysia Lorry Owners’ Association (PMLOA) president, stressed that excuses such as low traffi c volume and poor economic feasibility were no longer valid reasons not to upgrade the trunk road.
“The government must upgrade the trunk road because private fi rms won’t want to do it due to low traffic volume.
The government must not shirk its responsibility.
“The state government should upgrade it, and show the federal government what we are capable of. Please walk the talk, and not just daydream.”
On lorry’s laden weight, Jong said the government ought to increase its maximum laden weight.
“It is high time for the authorities concerned to resolve this national issue faced by lorry operators for the last 10 years.”
The shortage of lorry drivers, he pointed out, was also an issue which the government should lend a helping hand to solve.
“Please do not ignore our voices. The problems we are facing are also problems faced by the government. The government should seriously listen to our suggestions and work hand-in-hand with us to achieve a win-win situation.”
Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Yong Khoon Seng was the guestof- honour at the gathering.