By DayakDaily Team
MARUDI, June 18: Marudi STOLport and Long Banga STOLport are set to be upgraded as they continue to serve as essential air links for rural communities in Baram, with improvement works focused on enhancing safety, comfort and operational efficiency at both facilities.
According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) news, the upgrade initiatives reflect growing cooperation between the federal government and the Sarawak government to strengthen rural air transport connectivity in the State’s interior.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said both STOLports remain vital for mobility and the delivery of essential goods to remote communities.
“Marudi STOLport in particular is still needed to connect communities in the Baram area. It is also an important route for the delivery of daily supplies,” he said during a working visit yesterday (June 17), which was also joined tby Malaysia’s Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, pointed out that essential supplies for interior settlements such as Long Banga, Long Seridan, Long Lellang and Bario are frequently transported by air due to limited accessibility via land routes.
The visit aimed to assess the current condition of both STOLports and identify required upgrades, while further strengthening intergovernmental coordination on rural infrastructure development.
“The proposed improvements are necessary to enhance safety standards, passenger comfort and overall operational efficiency at both facilities, including better terminal facilities and upgraded waiting areas,” he said.
He stressed that rural air transport serves a broader role beyond connectivity, acting as a key enabler of socio-economic development by improving access to education, healthcare, trade and government services for inland communities.
Gerawat also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and relevant agencies for their continued commitment to improving rural air connectivity in Sarawak.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Aviation Division secretary of the Ministry of Transport Malaysia Mohd Radzuan Mazlan, Aviation Technical advisor of the Sarawak Ministry of Transport Sio Yew Hua, and Borneo Region Airport manager of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Jefri Ramli. — DayakDaily
