THE state has received a total allocation of RM435 million under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) this year to ensure its roads remain in safe and usable condition.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure and Port Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the funds, channelled through the Public Works Department (PWD), are integral to maintaining road quality statewide.
“We are committed to ensuring that all state roads remain in good, safe and usable condition.
“This allocation enables us to carry out routine and scheduled maintenance works effectively,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Dec 3).
Uggah also highlighted the government’s broader connectivity agenda, noting that Sarawak has achieved approximately 78 per cent connectivity coverage to date.
However, he said efforts must continue to ensure that every kampung, rumah panjai and remote settlement is linked to the nearest town.
To accelerate progress, Uggah stated the state cabinet has agreed to take over and convert active and inactive logging roads, including Jalan Raya Kampung within logging areas, into Jalan Raya Negeri (JRN).
“This conversion involves approximately 5,977 km of roads serving 790 settlements across the Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions,” he said.
Additionally, Uggah then stated converting these roads into state roads will enable service providers to undertake routine and periodic maintenance, thereby improving accessibility and connectivity between rural communities.
“This initiative is crucial to support the socio-economic wellbeing of our people, especially those living in remote and scattered settlements,” he said.
Uggah also addressed concerns raised by elected representatives from Ba’Kelalan, Baleh, Engkilili, Ngemah, Telang Usan and Murum, assuring them that the logging roads highlighted are currently being considered for takeover under the State Road Maintenance Programme.
He further revealed that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has approved RM988.16 million for the upgrading and improvement of 11 abandoned logging roads across Sarawak, with all the projects progressing in stages.
