By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, June 7: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has suggested building elevated roads as a new approach over ‘carpet’ roads for construction over peat soil.
Abang Johari highlighted the inferior road conditions between Asajaya and Samarahan, stating that the roads were built over peat soil like a carpet, which has proven to be an incompatible approach.
“I have asked the JKR (Public Works Department) to do research on building an elevated road on peat soil. If the road is elevated, it will not be uneven,” said Abang Johari during his speech at the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Innocement Sdn Bhd and PMW Industries at Asajaya Hall, Grand Margherita Kuching today.
With the elevated road, the peat soil can be used as a carbon storage method as it is undisturbed, said Abang Johari.
With the peat soil carbon storage, he said, Sarawak can claim carbon credit, which to him becomes a component to the region’s carbon trading.
“The late Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud tried the ‘carpet’ approach, layering the road on top of peat (soil), but it doesn’t work. So, to me, (we) might as well do the elevated (road),” he said.
He also said that with elevated roads having enabled undisturbed peat soil as carbon storage, it would then bring Sarawak further along as part of the green economy. — DayakDaily
