Masing not concerned about warnings thrown at Sarawak

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Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing is undaunted by the warnings and cautions thrown at the Sarawak government over the proposed second trunk road project.

Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said the Sarawak government has the funds to finance the cost of the second trunk road as well as the coastal road once work is started.

“Both coastal and second trunk roads are state-funded. We have the funds to do both. What is the problem?” said Masing when asked on the cautions and warnings issued by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How that the Sarawak government should not rush in implementing the projects, particularly the second trunk road project.

Masing said his ministry and the federal Ministry of Works were obviously not on the same page when it came to these mega road projects.

“So See Chee How is now doing the planning for Sarawak roads since his appointment as ‘advisor’ to the Ministry of Works Malaysia?” he asked.

See, who was recently appointed as special officer to Minister of Works Baru Bian, told a press conference on Sunday that the rush to implement the proposed second trunk road project smacked strongly of poor governance and compromised the state’s integrity in financial management thereby putting the state and Sarawakians’ interest at risk.

He said there is a need to prioritise and to take into consideration the numerous needs for provision of other basic amenities and infrastructural development and also the budgetary strength and constraints.

When queried if it is a public misconception that the construction and completion of the proposed second trunk road will shorten the route to Sibu, Masing said others should respond to this matter.

According to See, the coastal road is a shorter route  for travel between Kota Samarahan and Sibu, taking the exit above Debak to continue the journey on the Pan Borneo Highway. On the other hand, for Sri Aman and Betong, where most parts of the proposed second trunk road will lead to, the use of the proposed second trunk road will lengthen the route by 70km.

When asked if it is fallacious or misleading to say that the proposed second trunk road will provide an alternative shorter route to the second main trunk road, Masing also wanted others to reply on this.

Masing, however, did not state as to ‘who’ are the others to reply the findings by See.

On a related matter, See on Sunday said that the Sarawak government appears to have indulged itself in a spending spree while certain pricey projects are questionable especially those that are not of significant priority or strategic.

See said the second trunk road project is lavish because it costs the state an exorbitant RM4 billion to RM6 billion depending on the amount of ‘hidden cost’ that it may entail.

See then suggested to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to seriously consider the appointment of a certified integrity officer from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to oversee the whole process of planning, designing, value assessment, tendering, appointment of consultant and contractors, financing and implementation of the proposed project.