LIMBANG, Jan 30: Construction on the proposed Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) which links Limbang and Lawas via Brunei and onwards to Sabah is scheduled to start this year.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the 88km-long project has already been agreed to by the Brunei government.
“The Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) which connects Miri to Limbang and Lawas without passing through Brunei, will also be implemented where the first phase is already under construction.
“Meanwhile, the road connecting directly to the Sarawak-Indonesia border is also in the planning stage,” he said when met by reporters during a visit to one of several Chinese New Year open houses around Limbang yesterday.
For the record, SSLR Phase 1 from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng in Lawas (77km) is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
The construction of SSLR Phase 2, which is expected to start this year, will be divided into three sections, namely Section 1 from Mulu to Limbang (116km), Section 2 from Long Luping to Ba’kelalan (75km), and Section 3 from Limbang to Long Merarap (66km).
Awang Tengah who is also the Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak further said the development of basic facilities such as electricity supply is also being implemented with Limbang and Lawas now connected to the main electricity grid. The project is expected to be completed by 2024.
In addition, he said, telecommunications and water supply coverage will also be extended to rural areas to provide convenience to local residents.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah and his entourage visited the residences of Pemanca Leong Boong Ming, Penghulu Chua Beng Soon and Limbang Hockien Association chairman David Chua Thien Teen in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
Also present were Awang Tengah’s wife Dato Dayang Morliah Awang Daud, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang and Limbang Resident Unus Tambi. – DayakDaily
