Govt Agrees To Build New Road Linking Meluan To Layar

SARIKEI, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government has agreed to the proposal to build a new road, stretching about six kilometres to connect the Ulu Entabai and Ulu Entaih areas, Meluan in Julau with the Ulu Penebak, Layar area in Betong.

The agreement was announced by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when opening the Nanga Lasi Bridge in Julau today.

He said that once completed, the road will enable residents in the area to travel to Betong and onwards to Kuching in about two and a half hours.

“With this road, the Meluan area will no longer be considered a remote interior region, but part of Kuching city.

“This means our brothers and sisters in Meluan’s longhouses can reach Kuching in just two and a half hours and return the next day,” he said, adding that the project will also allow residents to market their agricultural produce in Kuching.

Abang Johari expects the cost of building the road to reach tens of millions of ringgit.

The proposal was put forward by Meluan Assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin, who said that, in addition to benefiting 2,500 longhouse residents, three primary schools and a clinic, the road would also accelerate efforts to survey the indigenous customary land rights in the area.

The proposal was seconded by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who was also present at the event.

The Premier further announced the approval of several other development projects, including the Nanga Lasi/Balut/Suchong road upgrading project worth RM92 million; the Jalan Lijan project worth RM80 million; the Jalan Nanga Entaih/Rh Sang Lasa, Kemalih project with 13 connecting roads worth RM150 million; and the construction of a plantation road worth RM5 million.

In total, these projects represent an allocation of RM327 million.

The newly completed 96-metre Nanga Lasi steel bridge, which replaces a dilapidated suspension bridge, now offers a safer, faster, and more comfortable route for residents.

Completed on January 16, the bridge benefits about 2,250 residents, connects the Nanga Lasi-Balut area, and facilitates the movement of people, goods, and services to major towns such as Sarikei and Sibu.

-- BERNAMA