Sarawak-Kalimantan railway proposal needs federal-level discussions, says state minister

KUCHING: A proposal to build a railway line to connect Sarawak and Kalimantan will require a higher level of discussions between the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, says Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.

He said while his ministry took note of the proposal made by Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Brahim at the current state assembly sitting, the matter could only be decided at the federal level.

"It is just a suggestion from YB Stakan. This involves (discussions) between the two countries (and) we will have to submit it to the (federal) Ministry of Transport,” he told a press conference after winding-up for his ministry at the state assembly here today (May 22).

Hamzah, when debating on the motion of appreciation to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's address last Thursday, suggested that the development of the railway would boost international trade between Malaysia and Indonesia.

He said the state government must consider drafting preliminary plans on the matter as it can ease the process of exporting goods to and from Kalimantan.

When winding up the debate for his ministry earlier, Lee said Sarawak must strategise and position itself to gain socio-economic benefits and complement the development of Nusantara, which had been planned to become Indonesia’s new capital in 2024.

"One of the fundamental aspects that we need to focus on is to enhance our connectivity with Kalimantan, especially through land transport and air connectivity,” he said.

According to him, his ministry had been working closely with the Indonesia’s Consulate-General office here to establish new cross-border bus routes between Kuching and Singkawang in Kalimantan through the Biawak-Aruk Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) border point, about 105km from here.

"Currently, the decision is still pending the Transport Ministry of Malaysia’s further engagement with the Ministry of Transport Indonesia. At the same time, we are working closely with the relevant authorities to upgrade and improve facilities at the ICQS Biawak for this purpose," he added. - Bernama