Pan Borneo railway will benefit Sarawak, Sabah

KUCHING: The proposed development of a Pan-Borneo railway system holds the potential to boost economic activities and will particularly benefit Sarawak and Sabah.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the railway system could complement the nearly completed Pan Borneo Highway, thus not only providing connectivity but also for the transportation of goods.

He said this to reporters after attending the Lodge Group of Schools’ platinum jubilee celebration dinner and concert at Imperial Hotel here on Saturday (Nov 11).

Nanta was responding to the recent announcement by Transport Minister Anthony Loke that the government will conduct a feasibility study in 2024 for a Pan-Borneo railway system.

Commenting further, Nanta said the rail system could also connect to Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

“Basically, we must also leverage on the relocation of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, and if it could connect to Indonesia, the railway system would be more meaningful,” he said.

Thus, he said he truly welcomed the government’s efforts and agreed to conduct a study for the development of a rail system in Sarawak and probably the whole Borneo.

“As a Sarawakian, I welcome the initiative, and I hope it will be materialised,” he said.

“We know that the government has approved an initial allocation for a feasibility study to be done. I think it will take some time for it to be physically built because a thorough study must be made first,” he said.

Earlier, on Nov 6, Loke was reported as saying that the government wants to see if a rail system can be done in Sabah and Sarawak, and that it needs to consider the economic factors, whether there will be returns.

He also said the government is looking at discussions with Indonesia and Brunei to connect the entire Borneo region with a railway system.

Meanwhile, in May, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the state government had submitted a proposal for the construction of a railway across Borneo to the Transport Ministry.

He said the project, once successfully completed, would open up more economic opportunities along the route.