13MP: Strengthening Road Network Along Malaysian Borneo-Indonesia Border

KUCHING, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The plan to upgrade the road network along the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border, as announced during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), is viewed as a continuation of the government’s efforts to develop a high-quality cross-border road system between Malaysian Borneo and Indonesia.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the Sarawak government had long proposed the construction of a border road, and welcomed the federal government's commitment to the initiative under the 13MP.

“It was indeed proposed early on that a comprehensive plan be developed for the border road. The Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has already announced several related projects, including the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phases 1 and 2 (SSLR 1 and SSLR 2),” he said, when met by reporters at the 37th Kuching City Day celebration, here, today.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, said that the state Public Works Department (JKR) is preparing to implement projects approved by the Federal Government, including a new alignment currently being finalised.

“This border road project had previously been announced with a RM1 billion allocation. We are now reviewing the planning, and discussions with the relevant parties in Kuala Lumpur have already taken place,” he added.

According to Uggah, the project will span several strategic areas along the border, with planned connections to existing major road networks, such as the Pan Borneo Highway, SSLR 1 and SSLR 2.

During the tabling of the 13MP yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the implementation of the infrastructure project as part of the government's broader efforts to enhance cross-border connectivity and economic integration.

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Uggah said that the air quality across Sarawak remained at a good to moderate level, based on Air Pollution Index (API) readings taken yesterday and this morning, amid concerns over the haze situation.

Uggah, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), said that all divisional and district-level disaster committee chairmen have been instructed to activate their respective response teams, to strengthen monitoring efforts and take immediate action in the event of a fire.

“The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has also cancelled all open burning permits for the past two weeks,” he added.

-- BERNAMA