KUCHING: The state government will continue to fund the construction of five major bridges in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the fund for the bridges which include the bridges over Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Batang Krian, Batang Igan and Batang Kemena had been approved and the state government would proceed with the implementation.
“We will proceed funding the project. If we were to ask the federal government to fund them, it may affect their completion.
“Since we already give our commitment, we will continue to use our own money,” he said when asked by reporters whether the state government is considering asking the federal government to fund the bridges.
Abang Johari said what the state government would do is to ask the federal government to fund other infrastructural projects that cost the same amount as the bridges.
The bridges are among the projects which were scrapped by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which led the state government to take over the coastal road projects connecting Kuching to Miri costing about RM2.5 billion.
It was learnt that the cost of Batang Lupar bridge was RM1 billion, Batang Krian (RM133 million), Batang Saribas (RM450 million), Batang Kemena (RM300 million) and Batang Igan (RM350 million).
