By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 28: The Sarawak government has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading 5,297 kilometres of logging roads across the State by classifying them as state roads and registering them under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) to enable maintenance allocations to be channelled in a more organised and sustainable manner.
To coordinate the upgrading, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, led a Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak delegation on the second phase of the rural road expedition, XPDC 2.0, from Bintulu on Aug 26.
The delegation included Deputy Minister of Utility and Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, JKR Sarawak director Ir Dr Cassidy Morris, as well as JKR Sarawak deputy directors and its senior management team.
The first sector covered Kakus, Belaga and Murum, aimed at assessing on-the-ground conditions of rural routes still relied upon as main access roads.
The initiative underscores the Sarawak government’s priority to enhance rural connectivity, particularly for communities that remain dependent on former and existing logging roads.
According to JKR Sarawak, of the 5,297 kilometres of logging roads identified, 3,293 kilometres remain active while 2,004 kilometres are no longer in use.
Registering them under MARRIS will allow the State to secure regular maintenance allocations, either as State Roads (JRN) or Village Roads (JKPG), in line with Ministry of Finance (MOF) requirements.
In the Bintulu Division alone, 302.6 kilometres of former logging roads and 295.59 kilometres of active logging roads have been earmarked for registration.
In Kapit Division, 1,673.4 kilometres have been identified, while in Murum constituency, 364.8 kilometres are currently under review.
Through XPDC 2.0, JKR Sarawak plays a key role in surveying conditions, providing technical recommendations and planning effective upgrading works.
The department noted that inspections have revealed real challenges such as uneven road surfaces, ageing wooden bridges and safety risks that require urgent solutions.
The two-day expedition also included site visits to Bakun Dam and the Murum Hydroelectric Plant (HEP), highlighting the strategic role of sustainable infrastructure in advancing Sarawak’s energy and development agenda.
JKR Sarawak stressed that upgrading former and existing logging roads is not only about improving accessibility, but also about ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in the State’s broader development plans.
This initiative reflects Sarawak government’s long-term commitment to preserve, upgrade and maintain interior road networks for the benefit of the people. — DayakDaily
