KUCHING: The proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Sarawak has been termed as ‘a waste of taxpayers’ money’ in view of the state’s financial capability.
Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg should come up with a plan to implement a free bus transportation system instead of “clinging to the (LRT) project to save pride”.
She informed the august house yesterday that not only did Sarawak lack the financial means to implement the LRT project but it also did not have the passenger volume to keep the system sustainable.
“Two weeks ago, the Singapore MRT 2018 financial report revealed that Singapore’s operating and maintenance cost kept increasing with passenger volume going down.
“A real high-tech and developed country with highly dense population which relies heavily on public transport like MRT is making a loss of S$86 million this year, which is equivalent to RM258 million,” she said yesterday in her debate speech on Head of State’s opening address.
Yong said Sarawak should learn from Singapore’s case and be cautious of what it would be facing before proceeding with the LRT project.
“Chief Minister should go back to the basic by providing our rural people with basic amenities such as proper road access, water and electricity supply like what was mentioned in the Head of State’s speech, which sees not a single word about LRT project.
“To solve heavy traffic congestion in cities throughout the state, the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister should implement the free bus transportation system as what has successfully been implemented in Selangor,” she added.
Earlier, she called on the authorities to tackle flash floods that had been affecting residents at Jalan Mendu, Jalan Ellis, Jalan Penyau, Kenny Heights, Jalan Bidayuh, Kampung Tabuan Dayak and Jalan Song.
She alleged that the authorities including the State Planning Authority, Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Public Works Department (JKR) had done nothing to solve the issue.
“What has gone wrong to all these government departments and relevant minister in-charge? Suffice for me to say these departments and person responsible for it are just not performing,” added Yong.
She said she had brought up the matter several times in the august house as well as to the attention of the authorities but no necessary action had been taken thus far.
“Minister of Local Government and Housing has been there for over two years but we have yet to see any result from him to implement effective measures to deal with flash flood issue in the state. Throwing back to him his own words, ‘jangan tengok saja’ (don’t just look),” she said.