KAPIT: The Sarawak government will progressively upgrade about 5,700 kilometres of logging roads across the state to improve connectivity and accessibility in rural areas.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the upgrading exercise would be implemented in phases due to the scale of the project.
“I do not want people to expect that everything can be completed within a year. It has to be done in stages when we cover the whole of Sarawak,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) programme here on Saturday.
Abang Johari said Kapit has approximately 1,800 kilometres of logging roads, while Baram has about 2,800 kilometres.
“The largest networks are in Kapit and Baram, followed by Lawas-Limbang and Sri Aman,” he said.
He added that the logging roads would be upgraded progressively throughout the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the total length of logging roads identified across Sarawak stands at about 5,700 kilometres.
He said the state government is currently in the final stages of finalising and recording the alignments of the logging roads before proceeding with the next phase of implementation.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari also reiterated the state government’s commitment to upgrading Jiwa Murni roads, which were originally developed as temporary access roads under the Ministry of Defence.
“I have never agreed with the concept of building roads only for temporary use. If we want to build roads, then we should build them properly,” he said.
Abang Johari said the state government is discussing whether Jalan Jiwa Murni roads should come under federal or state jurisdiction.
“From the Sarawak government’s perspective, we want to upgrade these roads,” he said.
The upgrading of logging roads and Jalan Jiwa Murni routes forms part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen connectivity and improve accessibility in rural and interior areas.
