KUCHING, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak state government is ready to support the proposed Trans-Borneo Railway project to strengthen transportation connectivity and improve logistics efficiency in Sabah and Sarawak.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state already has a preliminary alignment for the project, which will be refined and agreed upon with the Federal Government before implementation begins.
“We already have the necessary facilities and the Federal Government is also prepared to support the project, known as the Pan Borneo Railway.
“However, in the initial stage, the project will focus on Sabah and Sarawak first before being expanded through government-to-government (G2G) cooperation with Indonesia,” he told a press conference after the Sarawakku Sayang Programme for the Bintulu Division at the Old Bintulu Airport here today.
As a start, he said the state government proposes that the project be implemented in stages, beginning with the Bintulu-Kidurong route.
“We want to start with the Bintulu-Kidurong stretch first because the route involving Bintulu Port, Kidurong and Samalaju currently handles heavy cargo traffic, which could affect road conditions,” he said.
He said the railway system is expected to ease pressure on roads while providing a more efficient solution for transporting heavy loads in the state’s key industrial areas.
“There are no issues involving the railway corridor, but we want to begin on a smaller scale first,” he added.
Last March, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in a Facebook post, said the final feasibility study report for the project is expected to be completed by the middle of this year following additional engagement sessions with stakeholders in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said if implemented, the project could take decades to be realised, but long-term planning must begin now to lay the foundation for its future development.
The proposed Trans-Borneo Railway project will connect Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
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