AS of March 2025, only 45 per cent of the phase one of Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) in Ba’kelalan constituency has been completed.
Ba’kelalan Assemblyman, Baru Bian, said that geotechnical challenges, including unpredictable terrain and soil movement have contributed to the delays.
“I commend the state government’s commitment to bridging rural and urban divides through transformation infrastructure projects, notably the SSLR.
“This project is pivotal in unlocking the socio-economic potential of rural areas, particularly in my constituency of Ba’Kelalan, Ulu Limbang and Baram, by facilitating agricultural trade and market access, as outlined in paragraph 28 of Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s speech’s address.
“While I appreciate the efforts of all parties to expedite progress, I urge the authorities to ensure that construction quality and safety standards remain uncompromised. The durability of the road and the safety of its users must remain paramount,” he said.
He said this when debating in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State Tun Phin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s speech in the august house today.
Baru also drew the attention to unresolved issues concerning land and property along the SSLR alignment.
“Several families in my constituency have reported damage to their homes, with some rendered uninhabitable.
“These homeowners claim they are yet to receive the compensation due to them.
“I call upon the responsible sub-contractor to address these grievances promptly and with empathy, ensuring fair and timely compensation to affected households,” he added.
Baru also said the deplorable condition of the road from Long Kumap, at the end of Package 3 of the SSLR, to the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Station (CIQS) at the Ba’kelalan/Long Bawan border remains a pressing concern.
This stretch, he added, reduced to a muddy timber track in parts, is impassable and unfit to serve as a vital link between Sarawak and Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.
“In 2023, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong announced a federal allocation of RM80 million under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development for this road, to be implemented by the Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
“An additional RM30 million was requested to address funding shortfalls. Despite my raising this issue in the November 2024 sitting of this House, the response indicated that the additional allocation was still pending federal approval.
“With the CIQS at Ba’ Kelalan now operational since April 5, I urge the state and federal governments to prioritise and expedite funding and construction of this critical ‘last mile’ link to uphold Sarawak’s dignity and facilitate cross-border connectivity,” he said.
