MIRI, August 5: The Works Ministry is looking into the possibility of creating a road network in northern Sarawak without having to pass through Brunei Darussalam.
“We are looking for another alignment, avoiding Brunei totally,” its minister, Baru Bian told reporters at a hotel after attending the Pfizer Volunteers Appreciation ceremony here today.
He was replying to a question about whether the federal government planned to proceed with its plan to connect Marudi and Bario.
Baru said during a recent Parliament sitting, he did raise the possibility of building a road connecting Marudi and Bario by bypassing Brunei, and the government was looking into this option as restrictions at the border and changes to rules and regulations tend to inconvenience travellers.
“We also want to create connectivity to other areas, (like) Bario and Baram, as I believe it can open positive development such as the eco-tourism industry.
“I hope the present government will understand,” he opined.
Currently, road travel from Miri to Limbang, Lawas and Ba’kelalan have to pass through Brunei, and travellers face many immigration and customs requirements at border checkpoints.
On the Pfizer event, Baru lauded the efforts made by volunteers of Pfizer Malaysia Health to educate the local community on the importance of health and wellness.
“The programme (social corporate responsibility) is an effective bridge to supplement the Ministry of Health’s effort in improving health care to rural residents in the country,” said Baru.
The 12th Pfizer Malaysia Health mission comprised 10 employees and three doctors; they spent four days with Ba’kelalan folk, and the mission ended today.
Also present at the appreciation ceremony were Miri MP Dr Michael Teo and Pfizer Malaysia director (Corporate Affairs, Health and Value) Azwar Kamarudin.
Pfizer is a pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in New York. It is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. — DayakDaily
Baru2-Baru Bian (in dark suit) posing for a group photo with Pfizer’s volunteers.
