ASAJAYA: The Sarawak government is serious in its efforts to implement connectivity development in the state.
Assistant Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said ferries throughout the state played a key role in the matter.
“Ferries as a whole are temporary solutions to connect places. Throughout the coastal roads, we need ferries on temporary basis before the completion of bridges.”
Julaihi was speaking during his visit to the Tambirat-Beliong ferry ramp site together with Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, here on Monday (Oct 19).
He added that the state government also provided subsidies on fares for 12 ferry bases throughout the state, which costs some RM78 million a year.
“Of the total, seven ferry bases are in the coastal areas and the Sarawak government has allocated a subsidy of RM66 million a year.”
Meanwhile, he noted that the approved Tambirat-Beliong ferry will be able to connect Kampung Beliong and Kampung Semilang, Kampung Beradik with the Asajaya area.
“The ferry service that will be provided in Beliong can accommodate 24 vehicles, and only RM1 fare is charged after the subsidy provided by the state government.
“I hope with the construction of this ferry, it will be able to connect all of the villages in the coastal areas here.”
