SEBUYAU: The Batang Lupar Bridge project proves that the Sarawak government is not full of “omong kosong” (malarkey or meaningless talk).
Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the project was not a small one as the Batang Lupar (river) was very wide and challenging.
“It is a big and costly project therefore, careful planning needs to be done to ensure it runs smoothly,” she explained.
She slammed certain quarters which dismissed the state government’s effort as “omong kosong” upon seeing no progress since the project’s announcement was made.
Rohani was speaking at the earth-breaking ceremony of the project today.
Upon completion, the Batang Lupar Bridge will be the longest across a river in Malaysia.
Rohani further said a series of events had taken place before the project could be realised.
“As Batang Lupar MP, it is one of the things I always raised up in Parliament.
“At first, I requested a ferry service to connect the people from Sebuyau to Triso. After that, I requested for the construction of the bridge.”
She mentioned that the construction of the bridge had been approved between the then Barisan Nasional federal government and the Sarawak government.
“However, after the change of government, this project was cancelled by the previous Pakatan Harapan government.
“Such a move had upset a lot of people, especially those residing in coastal areas.
“However, our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who knows the importance of this bridge to the people, took the initiative to resume this project and it is now fully borne by the state government.”
