KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem is inviting Sarawakians to join him in celebrating the abolition of the last toll in the state which is at Tun Salahuddin Bridge and the countdown on New Year’s Eve.
Adenan made the announcement while attending the Kenyalang Journalism Awards 2015 last Friday evening, saying it would be a big do and asked the media to help him publicise the event.
The abolition of the toll at Tun Salahuddin Bridge follows a successful negotiation with the concessionaire Zecon Bhd.
With the abolition of the toll at the bridge, Sarawak will be a toll-free state.
Adenan had earlier announced the abolition of tolls at Lanang Bridge in Sibu and Asean Bridge in Miri, which came into force in May and June respectively this year.
At a recent press conference at the state assembly, he said Zecon Bhd had agreed to the toll abolishment because “they (Zecon Bhd) cared for the people’s welfare”.
He also said the state government did not have to make any compensation to the company but would purchase its toll plaza office which would be used as office extension for the state’s Sewerage Services Department.
The six-lane, dual-deck Tun Salahuddin Bridge spanning Sungai Sarawak was completed in 2003 and the concessionaire started collecting toll a month later.
The operation is managed by Zecon Toll Concessionaire Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zecon Bhd.
Source: http://miri.my/2015/12/23/come-join-cm-for-countdown-on-new-years-eve/