By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 6: Roads are welcome to be built but they should not be built directly to Gunung Mulu National Park to ensure the UNESCO World Heritage site will remain pristine, opined Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
He said the state government will in fact implement the Marudi-Long Terawan Road which is about two hours’ boat ride away from the park.
“My personal opinion is that it’s better not to build a direct road right up to Mulu to protect it from mass tourism and at the same time we can keep it pristine. That will be the beauty of Mulu,” Dennis told reporters when commenting on the Chief Minister’s Budget speech which was tabled on Monday.
Dennis added that the road would benefit thousands of people from Marudi-Long Terawan including the Ibans from 33 longhouses and the Kayans who form the majority of the population there. Other races living there are the Berawans and the Penans.
He estimated the cost of the road would be about RM100 million and it is now at the consultation stage.
“The progress is happening and it will be a totally new road leading to Long Terawan from Long Lama,” said Dennis.
Dennis disclosed that he has also requested that a road be built from Long Lama to Long Bedian leading to Long Iman, and from there using an existing road to Long Terawan.
“But now Highland Development Authority (HDA) will do that part. So there will be two roads leading to Long Terawan, leading to Mulu.”
He hoped that both roads could be implemented in the next three years. — DayakDaily
