(Kuching, 7th) Due to severe structural damage to culverts, the road connecting Ulu Baram Long Lellang to the outside world has been cut off for several days. Local councillors are calling on the authorities to carry out urgent repairs as soon as possible to restore transport links.
The Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, pointed out that two culverts near the village have suffered serious structural damage while another is in a critical state and at risk of collapse.
As the state assemblyman for Mulu, he said that the situation was reported by the Long Lellang A village chief and has already affected villagers’ travel as well as the transportation of basic supplies.
He pointed out that the most worrying concern is SK Long Lellang, where food supplies for boarding students are gradually running low.
He said: "Should there be further delays in the delivery of basic supplies, it will inevitably affect the learning process, as most of the students are boarders who rely on the school for daily meals and welfare."
In a press statement, he said he has reported the matter to the Miri Resident’s Office and the Public Works Department (JKR) Miri branch, requesting the authorities to intervene immediately.
He added: "I have requested the Resident’s Office and JKR Miri to take decisive action and apply for emergency funding from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), so that the damaged culverts can be repaired immediately and the safe passage restored."
Speaking of long-term solutions, he said that the Long Lellang road upgrading project under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) has now entered the tendering stage, which is expected to be completed soon, and hopefully work can begin in early June.
However, he emphasized that the most crucial thing at present is to take temporary remedial measures as soon as possible to ensure that access is restored at the earliest opportunity, allowing basic supplies to reach the local communities, schools and clinics in a timely manner.
The Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, pointed out that two culverts near the village have suffered serious structural damage while another is in a critical state and at risk of collapse.
He pointed out that the most worrying concern is SK Long Lellang, where food supplies for boarding students are gradually running low.
He said: "Should there be further delays in the delivery of basic supplies, it will inevitably affect the learning process, as most of the students are boarders who rely on the school for daily meals and welfare."
In a press statement, he said he has reported the matter to the Miri Resident’s Office and the Public Works Department (JKR) Miri branch, requesting the authorities to intervene immediately.
He added: "I have requested the Resident’s Office and JKR Miri to take decisive action and apply for emergency funding from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), so that the damaged culverts can be repaired immediately and the safe passage restored."
Speaking of long-term solutions, he said that the Long Lellang road upgrading project under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) has now entered the tendering stage, which is expected to be completed soon, and hopefully work can begin in early June.
However, he emphasized that the most crucial thing at present is to take temporary remedial measures as soon as possible to ensure that access is restored at the earliest opportunity, allowing basic supplies to reach the local communities, schools and clinics in a timely manner.