BELAGA, Aug 28: The Sarawak Cabinet has approved an allocation of RM38 million to repair roads damaged by heavy rain and landslides, including the crucial Jalan Menjawah-Belaga and access routes at Lusong Laku.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the initiative forms part of Sarawak’s wider effort to upgrade logging and former logging roads across the State to ensure better-maintained infrastructure for rural communities.
He explained that once upgraded and reclassified as State roads, these routes can be registered under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS), enabling maintenance allocations to be channelled more systematically.
“Out of the 5,297 kilometres of logging roads in Sarawak, about 3,293 kilometres are still actively used.
“If these roads are upgraded, more allocations can be channelled to ensure rural residents enjoy better road access,” he said during the Leaders with Community event at the Belaga Community Hall on Tuesday (Aug 26).
Uggah, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), expressed appreciation to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for consistently prioritising rural development through regional agencies such as the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA).
The event also featured the presentation of appointment certificates to three newly appointed village chiefs, 23 recipients of appointment extension certificates, and one recipient of an appreciation certificate.
Also present were MIPD permanent secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau, Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti, Kapit Division Resident Elvis Didit, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Ir Dr Cassidy Morris, Belaga District Officer Bidah Lujah, and local community leaders.
He explained that once upgraded and reclassified as State roads, these routes can be registered under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS), enabling maintenance allocations to be channelled more systematically.
“Out of the 5,297 kilometres of logging roads in Sarawak, about 3,293 kilometres are still actively used.
“If these roads are upgraded, more allocations can be channelled to ensure rural residents enjoy better road access,” he said during the Leaders with Community event at the Belaga Community Hall on Tuesday (Aug 26).
Uggah, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), expressed appreciation to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for consistently prioritising rural development through regional agencies such as the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA).
The event also featured the presentation of appointment certificates to three newly appointed village chiefs, 23 recipients of appointment extension certificates, and one recipient of an appreciation certificate.
Also present were MIPD permanent secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau, Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti, Kapit Division Resident Elvis Didit, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Ir Dr Cassidy Morris, Belaga District Officer Bidah Lujah, and local community leaders.