By Amanda L
MIRI, Sept 13: State-owned roads in Sarawak will remain strictly toll-free as the State aggressively expands northern infrastructure to unlock major cross-border trade with Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Labuan.
Speaking at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Northern Sarawak special convention in Miri today, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reaffirmed that no tolls will be charged on State roads as connectivity expands across Miri, Marudi, Limbang, Lawas and interior hinterlands.
Major projects in the pipeline include the 142km Miri-Marudi-Mulu-Long Panai-Long Lama road network, alongside State plans to take over and upgrade roughly 5,000km of existing logging roads to improve overall connectivity.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan emphasised that northern Sarawak’s strategic location gives it a competitive edge in driving cross-border trade and regional growth.
“Northern Sarawak is strategically located, neighbouring Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan, Sabah and Labuan. This opens up significant opportunities for cross-border trade,” he said.
He noted that the region’s economic foundation spans oil and gas, renewable energy, forestry, industry, tourism and modern agriculture aimed at bolstering food security.
However, Awang Tengah stressed that this economic vision hinges on robust infrastructure, including roads, bridges, reliable water and electricity supplies and telecommunications.
“These are essential to connect our people with markets and economic opportunities,” he explained.
He added that northern infrastructure development remains central to the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to create new revenue streams and elevate household incomes State-wide. — DayakDaily
