KUCHING: A study is underway for a public transport master plan in East Malaysia.

It includes the possibility of having a Light Rail Transit (LRT) service for Sarawak.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukim told reporters this after the breaking of fast here on Friday night.

Lajim said the study would draw up measures for public transport for the next 10 years.

“We have hired a private consultancy firm to conduct the study which was initiated early this year and would end on Jan 1 next year,” he told reporters.

Apart from finding ways to encourage more public transport operations and improve the current public transport system, the study would also look into introducing the LRT service in the state if suitable, he said.

He said for the LRT service to be introduced in Sarawak, many factors had to be taken into consideration.

“We have to look at the volume of users, safety measures, environmental aspects and land mass. What’s more important is to gather public opinion on whether they are ready to accept the new plan,” said Lajim.

He was unable to give a definite answer that the state would have an LRT until the study was completed but, if it was, the service would be operated by a private concessionaire.

When asked why so much emphasis had been given to improving public transport in the peninsula compared to East Malaysia under the Budget 2009, Lajim said the focus, particularly on Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley, was because they were the tourism gateway into the country.

“These places are the centre of attraction for foreigners coming into Malaysia and at the moment it is more important to look into improving public transportation there,” he said, adding that he believed many people visited Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to Sarawak and Sabah.

Lajim assured that the Budget’s focus on public transport in the peninsula would not be at Sarawak’s expense. His ministry was aware of the poor standard of public transport in Sarawak and was encouraging more operators to start their business in the state.

He urged all officers in the departments and agencies under his ministry to give full cooperation to the state government so more work could be done to improve public transport in Sarawak.

The breaking of fast yesterday was organised by the Sarawak Road Transport Department.

It was attended by some 100 personnel of the department.

During the event, Lajim said that there was no need for ministry personnel to worry about a sudden change of government despite the claims made by the opposition.

“Everywhere I go, people talk about Sept 16. There is another four days to that day, but I believe there will be no surprise because all the people’s representatives we have are those who believe in democracy.”

He said elected representatives were not just interested in positions but were there to serve the people.

The deputy minister assured all personnel in his ministry that there would not be any change in the departments so they did not have to worry about it.