KUCHING, Oct 14: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has urged the Sarawak government not to proceed with the proposed RM10 billion new Kuching International Airport, halt further development of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) autonomous rapid transit (ART) project and scrap the proposed deep-sea port, warning that overestimating revenue and excessive spending could combine to cause “budgeting blunders”.
Debating the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting today, Chong called for greater fiscal prudence, urging the government to reconsider major infrastructure commitments amid consecutive years of budget deficits.
“Instead, spend a few hundred million ringgit to upgrade the existing Kuching International Airport and double its capacity, convert completed or partially built ART infrastructure into additional lanes for commuters, cars and public buses to ease traffic congestion, and expand Bintulu Port Authority’s facilities if additional port capacity was needed,” he proposed.
