BARAM: A new rural road maintenance strategy focusing on safety and long-term usability is in the pipeline to improve access and connectivity for remote communities in Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said the initiative is expected to be introduced by the end of this year and will particularly benefit areas that rely heavily on former and active logging roads.
“This new approach will take into account not just maintenance, but also the safety and long-term usability of these vital routes,” he said after completing the first day of the Bario Expedition recently, which involved a 256-kilometre journey by land from Miri into the interior of Baram.
Uggah and a delegation from the Public Works Department (PWD) spent the night at Segah Selaan Homestay as part of efforts to assess rural infrastructure on the ground.
He also informed that the collapsed Sungai Sengayan Bridge will be rebuilt, while the Long San Bridge will undergo repairs in the near future.
A total of 27 other bridges across Baram have also been identified for maintenance works.
Earlier, an engagement session was held with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) to gather direct feedback from the locals on infrastructure needs and welfare concerns.
Uggah expressed his appreciation to the officers from PWD Sarawak who joined the expedition and braved the challenging terrain to ensure that infrastructure assessments are carried out comprehensively and effectively.
The expedition continued today (Jul 2) to Bario, where the delegation will inspect road extensions and hold dialogue sessions with local residents.
