SIBU: The Transport Ministry is working closely with the Sarawak Rivers Board to improve riverine transport in the state, said its minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
“We are now gathering information and data on what needs to be done to upgrade the transport system,” he said, adding that the ministry was looking at designing better models of riverine transport.
Lee told a press conference after attending a briefing at Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) Sibu Regional Office yesterday that an improvement in the riverine transport was necessary as it played an important role in the movements of people and goods.
“There are many rivers in the state and 35 of them have been gazetted. Out of the 35, six major rivers are in the central region and they play an important role in the movements of people and goods,” he said.
The Senadin assemblyman said as his ministry was a new one, it is now in a process of recruiting relevant staff to fill in various positions.
“We have already filled up the key positions,” he said.
Lee added that his ministry was also planning for the 12th Malaysia Plan and would be organising several technical meetings to iron out issues.
Accompanying him were his permanent secretary, Buckland Bangik and SRB acting chief executive officer Ting Chiew Wong.
