By DayakDaily Team
BALINGIAN, Aug 7: The nearly completed 136.95-kilometre-long coastal road from Mukah to Bintulu, built with a budget of RM1.614 billion, will provide seamless travel for people without the need for ferry crossings once the Muara Lassa bridge is finished at the end of this year, while Paloh and Batang Igan bridges are set for completion by end of 2025.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stated that most of the construction packages for this coastal road network have been completed.
“Additionally, JKR (Public Works Department) had agreed to set aside RM16 million for two stretches along this road that needed to be upgraded. Works will commence as soon as a contractor is appointed,” he said in a statement today.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development( MIPD), highlighted that Sarawak government is funding the construction of 16 bridges across the region at a cost RM4.90 billion.
“The infrastructure sector in Sarawak has seen significant improvement was improving due to the committed efforts of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government. Once all are done, it will be seamless travelling from Kuching to Limbang without the need for ferry crossings,” he affirmed.
Uggah is currently on a five-day “Turun Padang” trip by road covering Miri, Bintulu, Mukah, Kapit, Sibu and Sarikei to inspect the progress of project implementation and prevent any delays or projects becoming “sick”.
Speaking to the media after attending a briefing on the status of two road upgrading projects on the coastal road from Bintulu to Mukah at the Sub-District Office here, he said the feedback received on the ground and data gathered are crucial for both JKR and the Ministry in future planning to ensure a comprehensive rural connectivity programme for Sarawak.
“In Miri and Bintulu, they gave us feedback, especially on the implementation of rural transformation projects (RTP) in their respective areas, as well as on what needs to be done in upgrading abandoned or inactive logging roads or building new ones, as well as bridges and river crossings,” he said.
Noting Sarawak’s vision to become a developed region by 2030, he acknowledged that there are villages and longhouses still in need of roads, particularly in the interiors of Miri and Kapit.
“We want them to be linked up by 2030. Now we are moving forward with this colossal task.
“Therefore, we will be very strict on project deliverance. Appointed contractors who fail to deliver will face stern actions including having their contracts terminated,” he said, noting the two remaining sick projects under the Sarawak government and three under the federal government.
Since Monday (Aug 5), Uggah along with his Deputy Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, JKR Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris and permanent secretary to the Ministry Datuk Chiew Chee Yaw have inspected project sites in Miri and Bintulu. Tomorrow, the team will head to Kapit before returning to Sibu and then Sarikei on Friday (Aug 9). — DayakDaily
