By Shikin Louis
MIRI, Nov 7: Pan Baram is part of Sarawak’s long-term plan to connect Miri, Baram and eventually Belaga, with the wider road network expected to open up economic opportunities across the interior.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the plan included road links towards Lapok and further inland, building on the Miri-Marudi connection and the Miri–Marudi–Mulu–Long Lama (MMMLL) Road Project.
“Pan Baram is actually part of our long-term plan for Baram. This includes the road to Lapok and the broader road programme extending further inland towards Belaga.
“Eventually, all these areas will be connected, although it may take time,” he said when officiating at the opening of the FORUM Cultural Centre here today, which was streamed live on Facebook by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
He said improved road connectivity, including feeder roads built along former logging routes, would help open up the interior to economic activities.
Abang Johari, however, said he could not make any immediate commitment on the proposed road network as the Sarawak government was currently in caretaker mode ahead of the 13th Sarawak Election.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the plan could eventually be realised, provided Sarawak continued to generate sufficient revenue to finance its development.
“I can commit on this one because I believe that our revenue will be there,” he said, referring to the eventual connectivity plan.
Earlier, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala dubbed the proposed 250km road linking Lapok to Bario as the Pan Baram Road.
He said the route could be upgraded in the future following the Sarawak government’s decision to take over former logging roads.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Abang Johari clarified that the proposed road was a separate proposal from the Pan Borneo Highway, involving an assessment of an existing logging road crossing the Baram area where the Lapok Road is located.
He estimated the route at roughly 200km and said it could serve as an arterial link to the 142km MMMLL main road.
“What we need to do is plan properly the road connectivity and also the type of road that we have to build in that particular area,” he said.
Abang Johari described Gerawat’s proposal as a good one, saying it could open up the area for economic activities.
“That one was a former logging road and the new economy now is based on conservation of forest and also carbon credit,” he said, adding that the proposal would be looked into further. — DayakDaily
