KUCHING: In an effort to make Kuching a livable and sustainable city, a lab will be set up by the end of next month to draw up a plan to improve the city's public transport, Housing Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Abang Tun Openg said on Feb 24.

He said all stakeholders in the city's public transport system, including the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), private sector as well as bus operators would be in the lab, under the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu).

"Pemandu will guide us. We will gather and discuss within the period of two weeks issues pertaining to public transport. We will find solutions to improve the public transport system in the city. The lab will start by end of March and the outcome maybe in another one month. We cannot rush, as there are lots of thing we need to look into because we need to study the recommendation," he told reporters after chairing the 10th State Housing Coordination Committee Meeting, here.

Abang Johari said the ministry has requested RM200 million from the federal government to upgrade public transport in the city.

"The RM200 million requested is my own estimate. However, we will base on the recommendation from the lab to establish certain public transport system and may implement it in stages. The expert will look into it," he said.

Abang Johari said the city might may get a Hong Kong-like transport system. "We have to discuss all the details and the budget needed," he said. -- Bernama