By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 31: Long Apu in Baram—reachable only after a gruelling six to seven-hour 4WD journey from Miri—remains heavily dependent on former logging roads as its sole access route, underscoring the persistent infrastructure gap in Sarawak’s interior.
The settlement, located about 240 kilometres from Miri, was highlighted by the Sarawak government as part of its renewed push to take over and upgrade old logging roads into proper rural connectivity links under a phased development plan.
Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the initiative is aimed at ending long-standing reliance on deteriorating logging tracks that continue to serve as critical lifelines for many interior communities, including Long Apu.
He said the takeover of these routes will allow more structured allocation of funds to gradually transform them into safer and more reliable rural road networks.
“This initiative is not just about roads. It is about ensuring rural communities are not left behind in access to basic amenities, education, healthcare and economic opportunities,” he was quoted as saying by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) when officiating the new block of Rumah Panjang Uma Pawe in Long Apu yesterday (May 30).
At the same time, the newly completed expansion adds 123 doors to the longhouse, bringing the total to 193 doors housing about 1,000 residents, making Uma Pawe one of the largest longhouses in Baram.
Gerawat described the expansion as a reflection of both physical development and strong community cohesion, despite logistical constraints faced in the interior.
“With the addition of 123 new doors, Uma Pawe now stands as a symbol of resilience and unity among the Kenyah community here,” he said.
As support for local development, he also announced a RM20,000 Rural Transformation Project (MRP) allocation for the Long Apu Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).
Also present were Baram MP Dato Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau, and Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Dominic Nyurang Ajang. — UKAS
