BELAGA: The Sarawak Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and maintaining logging roads and former logging tracks throughout the state, thereby ensuring improved rural infrastructure for the well-being of its people.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the effort is crucial as once upgraded and reclassified as state roads, these routes can be registered under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS), enabling more structured funding for maintenance.
“Out of 5,297 kilometres of logging roads in Sarawak, only 3,293 kilometres remain actively used.
“If these roads are upgraded, more allocations can be channeled to ensure rural residents enjoy improved road access,” he said at the Leaders with Community Session in conjunction with the XPDC 2.0 ground visit to Belaga and Murum, held at the Belaga Community Hall on Tuesday night.
Uggah also disclosed that the Sarawak Cabinet had approved RM38 million for repair works on roads damaged by heavy rain and landslides, including the Menjawah-Belaga Road and Lusong Laku.
He expressed appreciation to Premier Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for prioritising rural development through agencies such as the Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA), and for establishing the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), which he described as a unique example in Malaysia.
Over 400 residents attended the event whereby a presentation of appointment certificates to three newly appointed community leaders, 23 reappointed leaders, and one recipient of an appreciation certificate were also held.
