KUCHING: Sarawak has made plans to accommodate 10,000 people at its New Year's Eve celebration at the Tun Salahuddin Bridge here, which also marks the abolishment of the last tolled bridge in the state.
"This isn't just any New Year's Eve countdown but 'A Countdown To A Toll Free Sarawak' – that's the theme of the celebration," said acting state secretary Datuk Ose Murang.
There will be four car parks set up, two on each side of the Sarawak River and 10 shuttle buses making stops every 10 minutes.
Tents as large as Olympic-sized swimming polls with transparent roofs for fireworks viewing have been set up, with half a dozen video screens around the venue.
Ose said confirmed performers at the celebration include Dayang Nurfaizah, Amir Ukays and Datuk Jamal Abdillah.
"The show starts at 8pm but we urge everyone to come by 6pm. We want as big a crowd as possible to join the celebration," he said.
The Tun Salahuddin Bridge will become toll-free at the stroke of midnight. The 339m, six-lane, dual-deck bridge was opened in 2003. The current toll charge is RM1.80.
In May, the toll at Sibu's Lanang Bridge was also cancelled, while in June, the Asean Baram Bridge near Miri was stopped.
The toll-free Sarawak policy was announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem in April.
During the December Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting, Adenan reiterated tha the state's portion of the Pan Borneo Highway would be toll-free.
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