KUCHING: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s effort to reach out to people through the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition has further strengthened the spirit of unity among the people, especially the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg conveyed his appreciation to Their Majesties for their efforts to get closer to the people along the Pan Borneo Highway.
“This (Pan Borneo Highway) project of the federal government has provided comfort to the people throughout Sarawak.
“Apart from this, the Sarawak government is also building an 896-km long coastal highway at a cost of RM 5.42 billion, and this involves the construction of 10 bridges across large rivers, such as the 4.8-km long Batang Lupar Bridge which will be the longest bridge across rivers in the country when completed.
“In addition, the Sarawak government is also building the Second Trunk Road from Samarahan towards the north of Sarawak through the Sebuyau and Lingga areas at a cost of RM5.58 billion. This line will shorten the travel time from Kuching to Sibu from five to six hours now to two and a half hours,” he said.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition and state banquet at Pullman Hotel here last night.
Abang Johari added the construction costs of the Coastal Highway and the Second Truck Road totalling RM11 billion are financed by the Sarawak government and are expected to be completed in 2026. The projects will enhance road connectivity and act as a catalyst for greater economic growth with the goal of making Sarawak a high-income developed state by 2030.
“The Sarawak government is also currently implementing a programme to supply electricity through the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) initiative and water through Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) at a total cost of RM5 billion and the programme is expected to be completed in 2025. In addition, internet facilities will be improved through 4G,” he said.
On another note, Abang Johari said Malaysia Day will celebrate the diversity among the people of the country which consists of various races, religions and cultures.
“It is also one of the six main core values of Malaysia Madani by the federal government which gives emphasis to the unity in diversity so that the people of this country continue to unite and create a peaceful and prosperous Malaysia,” he said.
Abang Johari said Malaysia is formed based on the constitutional monarchy system, and the presence of His Majesty for the 11 days expedition shows that the constitutional monarch has a unique role as an umbrella for the unity, prosperity and stability of the country.
“Therefore, Sarawak greatly respects the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong even though the state does not practise the sultanate system like the states in the Peninsula,” he said.
