BALAI RINGIN: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been proposed between villagers and a nearby palm oil mill to ensure the newly upgraded RM7-million Jalan Melikin is maintained if damaged by heavy vehicles.
Balai Ringin assemblyman, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, said the mill’s lorries regularly used the public road despite carrying loads exceeding its five-tonne limit.
He said discussions should be initiated among the company, village leaders and the Balai Ringin Sub-District Office on the proposed arrangement.
“The company uses this road every day, with its lorries carrying loads of more than 10 tonnes. If the road is damaged, we hope an agreement can be reached for the company to carry out repairs from time to time,” he said.
He told reporters this after officiating at a ceremony marking the completion of the Jalan Melikin upgrading project under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) at Kampung Danau Keranggas Community Hall here today.
Snowdan said about RM5 million was allocated under GKCDA for the project, with another RM2 million provided through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
He said securing the RM7-million allocation had not been easy, and it would be wasteful if the upgraded road were damaged again within a short period.
“This is a public road, and we must share the responsibility of looking after it. The allocation came from the government, which means it is also the people’s money. We do not want the road to be damaged again in less than a year,” he added.
Snowdan said the palm oil mill should contribute through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives as it benefited commercially from the surrounding area.
He added that some of the land in the area belonged to villagers, while the company also benefited from produce sourced from the area.
“That is why I am seeking the company’s cooperation to hold discussions and, if possible, sign an MoU with the village representatives and ‘tuai rumah’ in the area,” he said.
On the project, Snowdan said the road connected villages including Danau Melikin and Danau Keranggas, which previously depended on a gravel road that became muddy during bad weather.
He said the poor road condition had caused vehicles to become stuck, affecting residents transporting agricultural produce as well as children travelling to school.
“With the road now completed, it will be easier for villagers to transport their agricultural produce, while schoolchildren will also have better access. This road had been eagerly awaited, and the residents are very happy that it has finally been completed,” he said.
