RAILWAY IS DUE FOR UPGRADING

TALKING .....Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan talking to the train passengers at the Beoufort Railway Station.

THE DEPUTY Chief Minister who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said that his Ministry will continue to upgrade the facilities and services of the Sabah State Railway (SSR) to ensure an efficient transportation system for the railway commuters as well as tourists.

To check the condition of the railway, he went on a station-to-station inspection tour from Tanjung Aru right up to the Tenom Railway Station, accompanied by Assistant Minister, Datuk Japlin Akim, Permanent Secretary Datuk Felix Madan KPI and SSR General Manager Mohd Zain Hj Mohd Said.

The total distance of the railway is 134 kilometers.

"The Sabah railway has been around since the British era and it is the main mode of transport for the people of the area. It also transports agricultural produce and other goods from the rural areas to the city," Pairin said at a news conference.

He told reporters that from his observations alone the railway was in need of repairs and improvement, including improvements to enhance security.

"The Government will study the safety factors reported by our consultants. The faster the report could be presented to the ministry, the faster the matter could be brought up to cabinet meeting for a decision, "said Pairin.

"The government is looking ahead to improve our railway service to the community" Pairin said, adding that the Railway Department also plays an important role in transporting tourists to the rural areas that offer adventure-tourism, especially white water rafting in Sungai Padas. (Insight Sabah)