KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has been urged to prioritise the implementation of long-delayed road projects in Sri Aman, despite their approval under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Sri Aman Member of Parliament (MP), Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie, said the continued delay of basic infrastructure projects had affected the well-being of rural communities and ran against the goals of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which focused on inclusive development and people’s welfare.
She said one of the projects still pending was the upgrading of the 3.3-kilometre Menuang-Langgir Road to JKR R3 standards, with an estimated cost of RM46 million.
Although proposed in 2021 under the 12MP, the project has yet to be implemented.
“Communities in Langgir and Gunung Lesong still have no road access and depend entirely on river transport, which is dangerous due to the presence of crocodiles and becomes especially difficult during low tide,” she said during the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Jan 22).
She also highlighted the delayed upgrading of the Pantu-Keranggas/Engkeranji Road, covering about 22 kilometres.
The project was approved by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under Rolling Plan 1 of the 12MP with a ceiling cost of RM142 million.
The existing gravel road, she said, was slippery and hazardous, affecting more than 1,500 residents along the route.
“When completed, the project will connect nine longhouses, including two schools – Sekolah Kebangsaan Keranggas and Sekolah Kebangsaan Engkeranji,” she added.
Doris stressed that proper road infrastructure was vital for rural communities as it directly affected access to education, healthcare services and economic opportunities.
She called for both projects to be prioritised under the 13MP, in line with the Royal Address of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which emphasised the well-being of the people through the development of basic infrastructure.
