KUCHING: Improving road connectivity and building proper roads to rural areas would be a more practical long-term alternative to relying on helicopters for healthcare access.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak government is already taking steps to improve road access, including taking over former logging roads and upgrading them to provide better connectivity to remote communities.
“The practical alternative is not to use helicopters, but to build roads. That is why I said we are taking over logging roads in those areas, including Baram and Bintulu.
“We are also constructing roads in Baram, and the work is already underway. Once you have roads, there is no longer a need to use helicopters,” he said this when met by reporters after officiating the Sarawak Semiconductor Flagship Talent Development Ecosystem Ceremony at CENTEXS, Santubong here today (Sept 15).
Abang Johari said Sarawak is using its own funds as part of its contribution to improving connectivity and infrastructure in rural areas.
He expressed hope that the state’s road network development could be substantially completed by 2030 to 2032, reducing the need for helicopter-dependent access to rural communities.
He said among the projects is a 142-kilometre main road being developed to Public Works Department (JKR) R3 standards, adding with Bintulu about 5,000 kilometres of logging roads that could potentially be taken over and upgraded.
“It takes time, but the target is 2030. Once there are roads, there is no need to use helicopters,” he said.
Abang Johari pointed to the road connection between Sibu and Kapit as an example of how improved road infrastructure could reduce reliance on river transport.
He said longhouses would also benefit from improved road connectivity, allowing residents to travel to clinics at any time of the day or night.
“With FDS, if the weather permits and there is daylight, then it can operate. So I think the alternative is to have roads,” he said.
Abang Johari expressed hope that the approach would succeed in strengthening rural connectivity and reducing the need to depend on helicopters for essential services.
He added that if federal funding or implementation is delayed, Sarawak would continue using its own financial resources where necessary, supported by the State’s efforts to increase revenue.
“Hopefully, our income will also increase. The income will be returned to the people,” he said.
Previously, Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Sarawak government is ready to assist the MOH in improving healthcare delivery, including the FDS, following the Long Lellang helicopter crash.
Dr Sim said the state government had previously provided funding when the federal government had indicated that allocations were unavailable for certain needs.
However, he said any assistance would depend on discussions with the MOH and needs identified after the official investigation report into the crash was released.
He also suggested strengthening healthcare delivery through alternatives such as drones, teleconsultation, artificial intelligence-assisted medical services, additional clinics and improved roads to enhance access to healthcare in rural areas.
