KUCHING: The state government hoped that the new federal government under Pakatan Harapan will still continue with the sharing agreement for the cost of the Batang Lupar Bridge, said Assistant Minister of Coastal Roads, Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
“I hope that the federal government will still continue the 50-50 basis funded by state and federal governments agreed before the 14th General Election for the building of the bridge although now we have a new federal government,” he said, adding that the Batang Lupar Bridge is very important and very strategic for road users of coastal roads in the state.
“Although the last sharing agreement was approved by the Barisan Nasional government, we still hope PH will continue with the sharing agreement because coastal roads are vital for the rural people,” he said in his speech during the Gawai Raya 2018 Gathering held at Kampung Sungai Ladong in Sebuyau on Thursday.
“In the past during Hari Raya, road users crossing the Batang Lupar (Lupar River) would have to wait for between four and five hours for their turn to board the ferry. “This is something that we need to replace. We need the bridge for good connectivity and time saving for road users travelling along the coastal roads and also heading to the city centre and vice-versa,” he explained.
Julaihi also added that there are two other bridge projects namely Rambungan Bridge and Igan Bridge which the previous federal government agreed to fund fully.
“I am expecting for continuous approval by the new federal government as per the last one and hope the federal level will look into the matter for the benefit of the people in the state,” he said.
