BINTULU: The Sarawak Government’s proposal for the construction of a cross-Borneo railway service is currently in the negotiation phase.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said federal Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah is outlining plans that involve multiple countries and regions in Borneo, including Indonesia, Brunei, Sarawak, and Sabah.
However, he said there is no specific timeline set for the implementation of the project.
“Connecting Borneo via a railway is a complex endeavour that necessitates extensive discussions.
“Nonetheless, we hope that it can be executed as swiftly as possible,” he told reporters after a dinner with the Bintulu Melanau Association here last night (Oct 27).
The proposal for this construction was submitted by the Sarawak Government to the Ministry of Transport during a meeting held in May.
Meanwhile in August, the Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the federal government’s plans to enhance the country’s rail network, including a train link to Indonesia’s Kalimantan province.
“Currently, there is the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak, which is already constructed and almost completed.
“The state’s vision is to have a rail link, not only connecting the key cities in Sarawak but eventually going to Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia.
“In terms of key areas in Sarawak, they will connect a few cities along their coastal line, like Kuching to Sibu, Sibu to Bintulu, and Bintulu to Miri. That is, of course, the major corridor of all the cities,” he said.
