Baru (right) greets Dr Mahathir upon the premier’s arrival for the meeting. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The tender process for the new road that will connect Sarawak and Sabah is expected to open later this year, Works Minister Baru Bian revealed.
“I have announced the matter before, I hope that by the end of this year it will be open for tender and hopefully work can be done in the first quarter of next year,” he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad here yesterday.
He said the Sarawak-Sabah link road will open up many opportunities for those living in Limbang and Miri divisions, adding he is ‘as excited as any native of northern Sarawak’ for the road to be completed as soon as possible.
“I keep on mentioning this to reporters and the media because I am excited to see this road completed. It will definitely bring a lot of benefit not only to Sarawak, but neighbouring Sabah as well.”
Baru said upon completion of the road, many areas in the interior will be opened up for tourism and agriculture activities, and the income generated will definitely improve the lives of rural folks living along the stretch.
For tourism, he commented that the area especially near Mount Murud where the road will be built, records low temperatures and will be suitable for tourists who want to enjoy good scenery with cool climate.
“This is will be a good opportunity for us to open up a new place for tourism in the state. I myself would love going to the area once it is accessible by road,” he said.
In addition, Baru said the road would also be crucial for Malaysia to be linked to Indonesia’s new planned capital in East Kalimantan.
On his meeting with the prime minister, he said they discussed about the development of infrastructures in Sarawak and on other matters.
“The federal government is serious in bringing more development to Sarawak. Sarawak should not be left behind as compared to the other states and the prime minister wants Sarawak to be one of the most developed states in Malaysia.”