In a statement today, Sim said he was shocked by Chong Chieng Jen’s promise to cancel the project should PH win the Sarawak elections, knowing that traffic congestion in Kuching was getting worse by the day due to the city’s increasing population.

“Does he not know that Kuching’s population and the number of vehicle registrations have been growing at 3% and 8% respectively per annum, resulting in the increase in traffic congestion in the city?”

Chong, who is also Sarawak DAP chief, was reported earlier today as saying that PH would not pursue “white elephant” megaprojects if it takes over the state government. These included the ART and a new boutique airline operated by Hornbill Skyways, the state-owned carrier.

Instead, he said they would focus on improving the livelihoods of Sarawakians, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.

Sim said that current growth trends for urban traffic in Kuching showed that the number of vehicles in the city was estimated to grow by 41% from 317,400 in 2015 to 449,200 in 2030.

He also questioned why Chong believed that Penang needed an RM8 billion LRT system when George Town only had a population of 270,000.

“But Kuching, with a population of 570,000 people, does not deserve to have a cheaper and more modern ART system to ease traffic congestion and prepare for future growth?

“Do you not believe that the people of Kuching and Sarawak deserve to have a modern and affordable public transport system?”

Sim also called on Sarawakians to reject DAP and PH in the state elections if they believed they deserved further development, modern amenities and less congested city roads.

Sarawak goes to the polls on Dec 18. Early voting is set for Dec 14.