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SONG, July 17: The Federal government plans to build a road connecting Nanga Semaram, Kanowit, to Nanga Beguang directly across Kapit town.
Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the construction of the road network on the left side of the Batang Rajang had been planned for a long time for the comfort and uplifting of the socioeconomics of the people along the longest river in Malaysia.
Today, after the road from Sibu/Kanowit-Song-Kapit was completed, water transportation or express boat service has lessened or may have been stopped.
This caused those residing on the left side of Batang Rajang from Semarang up to Kapit town to face the problem of no transport service to connect them to outside areas.
“That’s why when I was undergoing knee treatment at the hospital before, I requested that the Deputy Secretary General (Policy and Development) of the Ministry of Works (MOW), Dato’ Zahrul Hakim Abdullah, during his visit to Song, to be taken by speed boat from Semaram.
“This enables him to see that the other side (the left side of Batang Rajang) has no road access. Once we have the road (on the right side), the express boat service has stopped—(I) pity the people on that side.
“That’s why we will build a road on that side, but whether it can be connected to the Federal or State road or using Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA)—that is not important. The important thing is that the road will be built. All that is being planned,” he said when officiating Baleh Kapit Raft Safari 2023 at Rh Lucy Nanga Lanang, Sungai Tekalit, Katibas here recently.
During the event, Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, announced an allocation of over RM170,000 to assist the residents of 19 longhouses located along Sungai Tekalit in Song.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Law) Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan. — DayakDaily
