By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 15: The Sarawak government has taken proactive steps to upgrade five rundown Jiwa Murni roads, allocating RM226.31 million from its own funds for the purpose.
Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas highlighted that irregular maintenance had led to the deterioration of many Jiwa Murni roads, posing challenges to accessing essential services in rural regions.
The five projects include the upgrade of the logging road from Long Lopeng to Ba’Kelalan in Lawas worth RM39.95 million; construction of a bridge and road upgrade in Kampung Saeh, Bekenu in Miri worth RM24.92 million; upgrading Jalan Rh Satu in Kuala Mendala of Batu Danau in Limbang with a budget of RM3 million; upgrading of the road from Miri to Marudi worth RM75.46 million; and upgrading of the road from Belaga town to Menjawah worth RM83.58 million.
“These initiatives are a testament to the government’s commitment to improving access to rural areas and ensuring that these roads meet JKR (Public Works Department) standards.
“Additionally, the federal government has allocated RM84.05 million to further improve four Jiwa Murni roads packages, with all of them currently under construction,” he told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech today.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Premier, disclosed that there are a total of 16 projects worth RM928 million under the Jiwa Murni programme which aimed to construct 461 kilometres of low volume rural road (LVRR) and 82 bailey bridges.
Of these, 14 completed projects have been handed over to JKR Sarawak for maintenance and the remaining two, namely the roads from Nanga Merit to Sungai Baleh and from Belaga to Nanga Merit, both in Kapit, are still under defect liability period.
Upon completion of the period, Uggah said the Malaysian Armed Forces will repair all the defects before handing the projects over to JKR Sarawak. — DayakDaily
