KUCHING: An elevated road will be constructed in Samarahan, including a key stretch from Sebuyau to Gedong, as the Sarawak Government moves to adopt new construction technology to address long-standing road issues on peat soil.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said conventional methods using geotextile had proven ineffective on peat land, as roads continued to experience surface undulations despite earlier development efforts.
“The last thing I want to share with you is about construction. As you know, we have this road in Samarahan developed before,” he added.
“We use geotextile, but apparently geotextile is not really effective because the road is still undulating because it is built on peat soil.”
Abang Johari said this during the Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (Cahya Mata) Mambong Clinker Line 2 earth-breaking ceremony at the Mambang Integrated Plant here on Thursday (Dec 18).
He said he had directed the Public Works Department (JKR) to switch to elevated road technology for future projects in peat areas.
“And I have directed JKR to change and use new technology in the construction of roads on peat. And that technology is elevated. Though initially it is expensive, but long term, the maintenance cost is cheaper,” he added.
According to him, the elevated road approach will not only be applied in Samarahan and the Sebuyau-Gedong corridor, but also in other peat and mangrove areas such as Limbang, Lawas and parts of Baram.
“We don’t have to build the road on the soil, but elevated. The soil, particularly mangrove and peat soil, are not disturbed,” he explained.
Abang Johari explained that preserving these soil ecosystems would allow them to continue storing carbon, opening up opportunities for Sarawak to participate in carbon trading initiatives.
“In return, they store carbon. So we will be involved in carbon trading. So there is no income there, but here there is income. So you’re equal. At least you don’t lose. You gain somewhere,” he reiterated.
He stressed that the elevated road strategy reflects Sarawak’s long-term approach to sustainable infrastructure development, balancing higher upfront costs with lower maintenance expenses and environmental benefits over time.
