MARUDI: The RM3.8-billion Miri-Marudi, Marudi-Mulu (Kuala Melinau) and Long Panai-Long Lama road project, dubbed as MMMLL, reflected Sarawak’s economic strength and its capacity to fund and deliver major infrastructure on its own.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the 142-kilometre project was not mere rhetoric but a concrete commitment by the state government to open up the Baram area.
He said the project would serve as a game changer in Sarawak’s development agenda, describing MMMLL as a product of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
“Building a road like this is not easy. The first step is to find the money. We worked day and night to secure the funds. Without money, you cannot build roads.
“The Northern Highway between Limbang and Lawas is also being developed, and it will connect to MMMLL. This means the entire northern region of Sarawak will be linked, creating an economic route for communities there.
“We are acting on our plans, not just talking. In the eight years I have led Sarawak, you can see the changes. But these achievements belong to the people of Sarawak, not me alone,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the launch of the MMMLL project here today.
Abang Johari said the road would adopt new construction methods and digital engineering aligned with Sarawak’s sustainability goals.
The project, he said, would use elevated roads suitable for peatland and hilly terrain, supported by nine major bridges and 14 minor bridges built with advanced engineering technology.
He asserted that elevated roads would minimise disturbance to sensitive landscapes in the interior.
“With Highway Information Modelling (HIM), engineers run the design through computer simulations first, testing for wind, rainfall and other conditions.
“The data guides how the road is built. That is digital engineering. That is the new approach,” he added.
He also expressed confidence that the MMMLL route would boost tourism in northern Sarawak once completed.
“Visitors to Sarawak will be able to drive from Miri to Mulu and experience the rich culture of Baram along the way,” he said.
