KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 2,595 street lights have been installed across 454 villages in Sarawak under Phase 8 of the Village Street Lighting (LJK) Project.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said this includes 517 units installed at 115 villages within the constituency.
He said the project, funded under the federal government through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), was carried out in collaboration with the state government, with Sarawak Energy as the implementing agency.
“Since its introduction in 2002, the LJK project has seen 57,000 street lights installed across 6,500 villages under Phases 1 to 8, with RM71 million allocated to date.
“For Samarahan Division, a total of 5,551 street lights have been supplied to 586 villages from Phase 1 through Phase 8.
“The project reflects our ongoing effort to enhance basic infrastructure and improve rural accessibility, particularly in villages across Sarawak,” he said.
He said this when officiating the handover of the Samarahan Division Phase 8 LJK project at Kampung Merdang Lumut Hall here today.
Julaihi added that Phase 9 is set to be implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), involving 16,400 street lights with an estimated cost of RM47 million.
“This means we are not stopping. It’s a continuous effort.
“The lights do not just illuminate roads and residential areas. They also contribute to public safety, social well-being and local economic activity,” he said.
Julaihi also urged that strong cooperation between the federal and state governments continue to ensure the success of future rural development projects.
“We are aware that many areas still lack basic infrastructure. I urge KKDW to consider increasing future allocations to meet growing needs,” he added.
