James Masing speaks on the proposed Second Trunk Road which is now suddenly being questioned by PSB leaders

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing in his winding up speech in the Sarawak State Assembly on May 8, 2019

Second Trunk Road Project 

Tuan Speaker, the Second Trunk Road serves to provide shorter alternative routes to Pan

Borneo Highway and the Coastal Road Network.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing in his winding up speech in the DUN

The first section of the Second Trunk Road is from Kota Samarahan to Roban, which is

approximately 112km of single carriageway JKR R5 two-lane highway.

The last section which is approximately 30km, includes the upgrading of the existing Jalan Kelupu/Jalan Tanjung Genting /Lanang Bridge, Sibu from two lanes to four lanes JKR R5 highway. The Sebuyau/Lingga/Sri Aman/Betong Expressway is approximately 94km of single carriageway JKR R5 two-lane highway.

Currently, the project is under design and it is expected to be tendered within the fourth quarter of this year.

Tuan Speaker, the Sarawak Coastal Road Network will be connected seamlessly between

towns such as Kota Samarahan, Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Kabong, Tanjung Manis, Daro,

Matu, Igan, Oya, Mukah, Balingian, Bintulu and Miri to the Pan Borneo Highway while the Second

Trunk Road will link Kuching-Sibu with the Pan Borneo Highway through Jalan Sebuyau-Sri Aman-Betong.

The aspiration of the Sarawak Government on the need for greater connectivity since

independence will become a reality once all these projects are successfully completed within the

period of five years.

Not only does it enhance greater connectivity, it also bring substantial socio

economic development, particularly in the agriculture sector and opening up of new areas for

development.

Tan Sri Dr James Masing in his winding up speech in the Sarawak State Assembly on November 13, 2019

Second Trunk Road project

25. The Second Trunk Road provides an alternative road to the Coastal Road Sarawak and the Pan Borneo Highway. This alternative road will be able to improve our mobility as it is able to shorten our travelling time and distance from Kuching to Simanggang, Betong and Sibu.

The implementation of the Second Trunk Road is divided into three packages as follows:

(i) Package A comprises 5 sub-packages from Kota Samarahan to Roban which is approximately 112km of single carriageway JKR R5 2-lane highway;

(ii) Package B that is the Sebuyau/Lingga/Simanggang/Betong Expressway comprises 4 sub-packages which is approximately 94km of single carriageway JKR R5 2-lane highway; and

(iii) Package C comprises 2 sub-packages which is approximately 30km includes the upgrading of the existing Jalan Kelupu/Jalan Tanjung Genting/Lanang Bridge, Sibu from two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes JKR R5 highway.

26. All these 11 sub-packages are expected to be tendered out by early next year.

Tuan Speaker,

27. With the completion of these mega projects, the connectivity between towns, longhouses and kampungs in Sarawak will be seamless and the Rakyat would be able to enjoy and experience driving along the long-awaited road network where travelling time between these places will be shortened and there will be savings in the fuel consumption.

28. In addition, reliable road network would be able to enhance the well-being of the Rakyat where productivity level will be increased. Thus, with the completion of those roads, Sarawak’s economic growth will be further accelerated.