Dato Sri Michael Manyin
KUCHING: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong’s call for a better public transportation system in the state has been praised.
Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei said Manyin must be acknowledged for pointing out that an improved public transportation could lead to better road safety.
“I must give acknowledgement to minister Michael Manyin’s statements in The Borneo Post (on Thursday),” Wong told a press conference yesterday.
He praised Manyin for being “willing to face the reality and to find a solution to improve the public transport system in Sarawak”.
According to Wong, there are at least four benefits to a better public transportation system.
“First, road safety can be enhanced; second, it helps ease the economic burden of many by not expecting citizens to buy cars; third, reduces pollution and is environmental friendly; last, increases productivity of the city as people spend less time in traffic jams,” he said.
However, Wong called on Manyin to be more proactive and not just wait for federal funding.
He suggested the state government follow the examples of Penang and Selangor, which offered state-funded free bus services.
“I’ve proposed in DUN (State Legislative Assembly), that the state government come up with RM145 million as an initial cost of purchasing 300 new buses and a mere RM48 million per year to provide free bus services for the initial five years,” Wong said.