LAWAS: The Sarawak government remains committed to strengthening rural infrastructure, including roads, water supply, electricity and telecommunications, to boost development in interior areas.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said several important projects in the Merapok area and its surroundings have been approved and will be implemented in phases.
He said that among the projects to be implemented is the construction of a road leading to Rumah Ajan, which has been approved with an allocation of about RM50 million and is expected to begin before the end of this year.
“The government will also construct a road to Meragang Station to support economic development in the area, including a buffalo farming project and cheese production, which will benefit the local community,” he said in his speech during the Pre-Gawai Celebration at Rumah Ajan, Merapok here on Sunday (May 24).
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development II as well as Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak and Bukit Sari assemblyman, said the government is also focusing on basic rural needs, including expanding clean water supply to villages along the Merapok area up to Long Sukang and Long Tuyu.
He added that the new water treatment plant project near Kampung Pengalih will increase water supply capacity and meet local demand.
He also stressed that improvements to electricity and telecommunications infrastructure will continue to be expanded to interior areas to open up more economic development opportunities for rural communities.
