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Daily Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Why Sarawak ahead of Sabah in infrastructure: NGO
Published on: Thursday, June 26, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 26, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Ramli said the decision to replace the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund with a unified modern financing mechanism highlights the state's focus on project efficiency and accountability. LABUAN: Despite sharing similar geographies and economic aspirations, Sarawak and Sabah have taken markedly different paths in infrastructure development. Former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and vice-president of CILT International for Southeast Asia, Datuk Dr Ramli Amir, said Sarawak has emerged as a model of self-reliance, independently funding large-scale infrastructure projects. At the same time, Sabah remains heavily dependent on federal allocations, resulting in development delays and fragmented logistics. 'Over the past decade, Sarawak has allocated billions of ringgit toward roads, bridges, ports, and industrial zones, all without resorting to debt or federal funding. 'The state government's fiscal discipline and adoption of innovative financing, including an alternative funding model introduced in 2019, have enabled accelerated infrastructure rollout. 'Sarawak's commitment to strategic financial management is exemplified by the RM11 billion invested in ten bridges, executed without external borrowing,' he said in a statement to Bernama on Wednesday. Ramli said the decision to replace the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund with a unified modern financing mechanism highlights the state's focus on project efficiency and accountability. He added that political stability and a long-term vision have also enabled Sarawak to maintain consistent development through initiatives such as the Coastal Road Network, the Second Trunk Road, deep-seaports, and free industrial zones. 'In contrast, Sabah faces persistent infrastructure gaps, largely due to its dependence on federal grants. Although the state has gained autonomy for projects below RM50 million, larger infrastructure ventures remain subject to federal processes. 'This has resulted in underinvestment and chronic delays, such as those plaguing the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway,' Ramli said. He noted that the logistics sector in Sabah is particularly strained, with transport costs reportedly 30 to 50 per cent higher than in Peninsular Malaysia, and public transport penetration in Kota Kinabalu lags far behind Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, many rural areas still lack basic infrastructure, and poor connectivity continues to hinder economic growth. Sabah's reliance on fragmented and reactive infrastructure planning has limited its potential for sustainable economic transformation. Commenting on the contrast, Ramli said Sarawak's success is rooted in its institutional leadership and fiscal autonomy. 'The state's ability to independently manage and finance its infrastructure agenda should serve as a wake-up call for Sabah to strengthen its internal capacities,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Batang Saribas 1 Bridge Fifth To Be Completed Under Sarawak Coastal Road Network
BETONG (Sarawak), May 25 (Bernama) -- The Batang Saribas 1 Bridge near Pusa here became the fifth bridge to be completed under the Sarawak Coastal Road Network project, marking another major step forward in the state's infrastructure development. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who represented Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to perform the soft opening ceremony of the RM375.5 million bridge today, said it is now open for public use, ending decades-long reliance on ferry crossings at the Saribas River. 'This bridge, along with others being built across Sarawak's coastline, is part of our strategy to enhance road connectivity, particularly for rural communities,' said Uggah, who is also Sarawak Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), at the ceremony. Prior to the opening of the 1.55-kilometre bridge, four other bridge projects that have been completed are the Batang Rajang, Muara Lassa, Marudi and Jepak, as the Sarawak government draws closer to realising its plan of building a total of 16 bridges under the Coastal Road Network. Uggah said six more bridges are expected to be completed within this year, namely the Sungai Lingga, Batang Igan, Batang Lupar 1, Sungai Limbang, Sebauh and Sejingkat bridges. He said by next year, the State government aims to complete the Batang Paloh, Krian, Batang Lupar 2 and Batang Saribas 2 bridges, 'It is very exciting to watch all these structures taking shape. They are shrinking Sarawak by significantly reducing travel times,' he said, adding that the opening of the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge alone eliminates the need for a 30-minute ferry wait to streamline connectivity for areas in the Betong Division. He said that his ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) will ensure contractors adhere to project timelines and quality standards in delivering the bridges, which would bring transformative impact to the social and economic wellbeing for rural communities. 'We are committed to our promises to rural communities. Delivery is proof that we are serious about development,' he added.
