By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 30: The proposed ferry landing and service project connecting Samarahan and Beliong has not taken off as the construction of the required new roads to transit-isolated villages on the other side of the river island has not commenced.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Art Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasised that the Sarawak government has approved both the ferry landing service and road projects.
“The State government has already approved a ferry (project) to cross the Samarahan River to connect Asajaya (from Tambirat) and Beliong. (But) We are still looking for a proper site (for the ferry landing).
“Part of the reason why the ferry project has not taken off was that the roads to the other side (where vehicles will embark and disembark to get to the villages) have not been constructed,” he said.
He highlighted this today during a press conference on the upcoming Sarawak Adventure Challenge 2022, themed ‘The Dragon’s Challenge’, which will take place at Beliong in Asajaya on Oct 23.
Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, pointed out that he has urged the Public Works Department (JKR) to expedite the construction of the new roads on the river island that will connect to several villages across including Kampung Beliong, Kampung Beradek and Kampung Sungai Tanju.
“The ferry service can only operate when the roads linking to the other side (Beliong) and villages are available; otherwise, even if the ferry service is in operation, the vehicles will not be able to get off (to their destinations) if there are no roads.
“I am also pushing JKR to make sure the roads on the other side linking Beliong, Beradek and Sungai Tanju, which have also been approved, can take off,” he added.
Currently, the connectivity to Beliong river island, known for its Chinese temple that is frequently visited by worshippers and visitors and unique racial harmony, is by boat.
As Beliong will be the venue for this year’s Sarawak Adventure Challenge, where vehicle access is unavailable, the organiser, Draco Action Sport, will provide free boat coupons for the participants to get on and off the island. — DayakDaily
