By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 13: The Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) must submit an application for the proposed construction of roads in the rural areas of the region.
According to a TVS news report, Federal Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi acknowledged the need for new roads in Baram, Hulu Rajang, and Kapit, and noted that these proposals should be prioritised in the Sarawak State Priority List to be included in the upcoming Rolling Plan of the Malaysia Plan.
“The ministry will review the proposed projects upon submission by the State government, based on the State’s priority list,” he said during a Q&A session in Parliament today.
Nanta was responding to an additional question from Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, who asked if the government would accelerate rural road construction in Sarawak, given Indonesia’s extensive projects near its border with Sarawak.
He further explained that each proposal would be carefully evaluated and referred to central agencies if it meets technical criteria.
“(However) it depends on the Ministry of Works’ (KKR) development budget allocation, but KKR remains open to new road proposals through EPU applications,” he added.
In response to Anyi’s main question, Nanta clarified that KKR currently has no plans to build or upgrade Border Security Roads in Sabah and Sarawak.
He explained that Border Security Road development in Sabah and Sarawak falls under the National Security Council.
“The National Security Council, under the Prime Minister’s Department, is planning to construct a security wall and road to facilitate patrols, following the Border Security and Development (KESBAN) 2.0 guidelines,” he said.
Nanta also mentioned that the ministry is implementing two approved projects in Sabah and Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan Rolling Plan.
“These include preliminary works to upgrade the FR21 Serian-Tebedu-Indonesia Road with an allocated budget of RM13 million, expected to be completed by December 2026,” he said. — DayakDaily
