MIRI: Sarawakians are all for Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s suggestion to establish a Borneo Railway System.
Abang Johari had on Saturday (Oct 21) said that the federal government had agreed in principle to the idea.
But he told a townhall session held in conjunction with the Lan Berambeh Sarawak event in Kuala Lumpur that he was leaving the decision to Putrajaya.
Spanski Steven, 27, Telang Usan youth:
I believe it will be a golden opportunity that can help boost our economy and the state’s tourism sector as it will automatically increase tourist arrivals to Sarawak. Apart from that, it also can help promote places of interest in the rural areas. I hope it not just hot air but something that can become a reality in future because it will strengthen ties between Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia and Sabah as well, thus Putrajaya needs to take this suggestion seriously.
Mohammad Aniq Ashwin Abuzar, 22, PBB Youth Wing Piasau chief who is also at law student at UWE Bristol:
The Borneo Railway System could act as a positive response towards Indonesia’s plan to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan. The railway system idea has also come at a timely manner as the people in Bornean states are in dire need of an improved transportation system which would allow for more efficient and faster travelling. Connecting all states and nations which presides in Borneo would allow both state and country to directly enjoy the economic rewards and have further opportunity to enhance bilateral relationships with Indonesia and Brunei. The railway system would also assist businesses which rely on foreign labour and trade as the system would ease the process of transporting both human labour and commodities around the island. The railway system is a potential catalyst towards both Sarawak and Malaysia’s economic status and will open doors for more opportunities in other industries in the future and we sincerely hope that the railway system will be established and operate soon.
Kelvin Hii, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Pujut Youth publicity and information secretary:
It is a brilliant idea as it will help strengthen ties between Sarawak,Sabah with Indonesia. It will also bring a lot of positive impact to Sarawak. We also laud the Premier’s decision to let the federal government decide on the project implementation, this is because we want to see what Putrajaya is going to do as Sarawak Sabah are now in the Unity Government. So, I think this is a very good idea to see if the Unity Government really takes care of Sarawak and Sabah.
