KUALA LUMPUR: Strong cooperation and a close working relationship between the federal government and the Sarawak government have delivered high-impact transport development projects in the state within a short period, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
He said close cooperation with his deputy, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, despite their different political backgrounds, had helped fulfil several key commitments to the people of Sarawak.
These include support for the establishment of Sarawak’s own airline, the handover of Bintulu Port Authority to the state government, the introduction of the BAS.MY (http://bas.my/) public transport system in Kuching, the upgrading of Miri Airport and the construction of a new Road Transport Department (RTD) complex in Limbang.
In a video recording of his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Limbang RTD branch office on Oct 28, uploaded to his Facebook page today, Loke said Sarawak’s airline had been established in less than three years through strategic cooperation between both sides.
He said AirBorneo had commenced operations and taken over MASwings services, with all ATR aircraft now under AirBorneo. There are also plans for the airline to operate jet aircraft connecting Sarawak to various regional destinations.
Loke said the federal government had also fulfilled demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) by returning port authority powers to the state.
On land transport, he said the ministry had provided direct funding for public transport in Sarawak, which had not previously received such funding.
The BAS.MY (http://bas.my/) service was introduced in Kuching, with hopes of expanding it to other areas in the future, he said.
Loke said the new RTD complex in Limbang was the only new building construction approved for the current term, adding that the ministry would assess needs in other locations later.
On connectivity in northern Sarawak, he said the ministry of finance had approved the expansion and upgrading of Miri Airport to cope with passenger overflow and spur economic growth in surrounding areas, including Limbang Division.
He said the project would serve as an important gateway to Limbang, allowing for increased airport capacity and more flights and visitors, which would help stimulate development across the division. — BERNAMA