BINTULU: The construction of a cable-stayed Bintulu-Jepak bridge has started. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officially launched the project yesterday afternoon.
The 1,283-metre bridge crossing Kuala Kemena is a fully state-funded project costing RM467 million.
The project which Abang Johari regards as Sarawak Independence Day’s ‘gift’ to Bintulu town will take about 48 months to complete.
“With its completion, the four-lane bridge would boost the socio-economic development of the surrounding areas,” Abang Johari said.
According to earlier plans, the
federal government was supposed to undertake the project, but due to financial constraints, it was slashed.
“The Sarawak government undertook the project because we are aware of the people’s
needs and we believe it would
create economic spillovers and ripple effects,” explained
Abang Johari.
He is confident that the bridge would boost Bakun as a tourist destination as well.
“The bridge is a gateway to Bakun,” he said after the launch of the project at Bintulu Esplanade. Earlier on, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing disclosed that the bridge was among four promised by the federal government but which had been
suspended due to lack of fund.
“There are several other infrastructure projects which had been
suspended or cancelled,” he said.
He added that most of the suspended infrastructure projects have been taken over by the state government at a huge cost.
Masing also brushed aside Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s prediction that Sarawak would be bankrupt within three years’ time.
“Our chief minister has found ways of generating more fund from our own resources to the tune of no less than RM3 billion per year,” he said.
He said the additional amount is enough for the government (Sarawak) to supplement the funds which the federal government has not given.
“Our chief minister as the Minister of Finance is very
prudent in managing our money
including our resources. This kind of management is only made
possible if we are in total control of our state legislature,” he explained.
Also present at the launch were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Coastal Road Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
