KOTA KINABALU: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan lambasted Likas assemblyman Junz Wong over his suggestion on how to improve traffic flow in the state capital.
In response to the Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) vice-president’s statement on Tuesday, Abdul Rahman said the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was still the best option to ease congestion.
“I refer to Wong’s statement that Warisan would be able to offer a better solution to the traffic problem. In his statement, he also accused me of not understanding the plight of ordinary Sabahans who use minibuses as a daily mode of transportation.
“As much as upgrading the existing network of the minibus system is important, after undertaking various studies under the Economic Planning Unit and relevant agencies, I believe that BRT is the best option.
“Barisan Nasional will always strive to find solutions. But on the other hand, Wong’s new party Warisan will continue to complain without having a viable alternative solution to reduce the concerns of the Sabahans,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Abdul Rahman said it was true that Sabah folk needed to “invest” more in the form of higher fares in order to enjoy a better public transportation system, but he assured the BN government would ensure that the BRT fares would be affordable.
“The BN government has also approved the upgrading of the constantly congested stretch between Indah Permai junction and Yayasan Sabah, and to Sabah Convention Centre.
“This will eventually ease traffic congestion along the road. At the same time, it will guarantee a smooth and efficient BRT journey.
“While the people of Sabah are ready and excited to move forward with this significant leap of public transportation system in the city, Wong and his party are still stuck behind and seem uncertain of what they have in mind.
“My advice to him is that if he has nothing else to convince people of Sabah, try to convince them on how you can easily change your stance from labelling Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) as the mastermind behind project IC, to become his avid supporter and choice as prime minister,” said Abdul Rahman.
In a statement on Tuesday, Wong said Warisan offered an alternative to the long-delayed BRT that would most likely charge higher fares, with the aim of addressing the haphazard system of the existing minibus transport.