KUCHING: Sarawak can expect its own Light Rail Transit (LRT) system to be up and running in 10 years’ time.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this when launching the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Zone 3 meeting yesterday.

“I estimate in 10 years, we will do it. Our trams will be different from the trams in (other parts of) Malaysia,” he said, adding the LRT would be powered by hydrogen.

According to him, the state government only has to put the rail tracks in place, as there was no need for Sarawak to emulate Kuala Lumpur.

“We have different ways of doing things,” he said.

The Chief Minister observed that traffic flow between Kuching and Samarahan was continuing to worsen.

“And there are so many students in Samarahan. So we have to plan ahead. We build the LRT using trams and hydrogen will be used to power our trams. You just need the rails.

“With better connectivity and our great potential in agriculture, this region will be developed. All we need is unity among ourselves,” he said.

Abang Johari told reporters later that the grassroots had reacted positively to his policies and plans for the state, as they understood their role in order to move Sarawak forward.

On the outcome of reconciliation between the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and United People’s Party (UPP), he replied, “It is in progress, so I cannot disclose it at the moment.”

However, he pledged to keep reporters in the loop should a solution be found.