By DayakDaily Team
BALAI RINGIN, Aug 29: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between village residents and palm oil processing mills has been proposed to ensure Jalan Melikin remains well maintained after its RM7 million upgrade, as lorries carrying more than 10 tonnes use the route daily.
According to a report by TVS, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the proposed MoU would see palm oil mill operators help repair any road damage caused by heavy vehicles.
“We are asking them to establish an MoU, if possible, between the village and the palm oil processing mill operators who use this road daily with lorries carrying more than 10 tonnes.
“If the road is damaged, we ask them to repair it because it is not easy for us to secure an allocation of RM7 million,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the GKCDA Balai Ringin Completed Project for Jalan Melikin Upgrade at Kampung Danau Keranggas Community Hall here today.
Snowdan said the proposed cooperation was important to ensure the upgraded road remained in good condition longer and continued to benefit residents.
He said the responsibility of maintaining a public road used by both the community and industry should not rest solely with the government and villagers.
Instead, he said, the industry should also share the responsibility, particularly given the daily use of the road by heavy vehicles.
“This cooperation could also form part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) towards the local community, particularly in ensuring that basic facilities used jointly are always maintained in good condition,” he said. — DayakDaily
