Haidar Khan (third left) presents a memento to Abang Johari. From left are Sikie, Dr Rundi, and Tiong. – Ukas photo

BINTULU (March 23): An Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system route will be developed from here to Tanjung Kidurong, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier of Sarawak said with the future rapid growth of economic and industrial activities in Tanjung Kidurong, there is a need to upgrade its public transport system.

“We will modernise the system with the construction of the ART route, to facilitate and smoothen the movement between the town and the industrial centre in Kidurong.

“I have set aside an allocation to build this ART, that we will build within five years,” he said during the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) appreciation ceremony last night.

Abang Johari said Bintulu will be the second location in Sarawak after Kuching to have this mode of public transport.

He said a modern transport system in Bintulu would be crucial to industrial development in Tanjung Kidurong, which is set to be a petrochemical production and medical hub for Sarawak.

According to him, approximately 15,000 jobs would be created from this industrial centre in the next four years.