Jalan Biawak ready by June, says Manyin

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NEARING COMPLETION: A stretch of the Jalan Biawak where final touches are still being applied. — Photo by Chimon Upon

NEARING COMPLETION: A stretch of the Jalan Biawak where final touches are still being applied. — Photo by Chimon Upon

TO BE READY SOON: Manyin pointing at the bridge which is still undergoing construction near the Biawak CIQ Complex. — Photo by Chimon Upon

TO BE READY SOON: Manyin pointing at the bridge which is still undergoing construction near the Biawak CIQ Complex. — Photo by Chimon Upon

LUNDU: The Jalan Biawak project – which has previously been criticised for its long delay – will no longer be an issue since it is now finally close to completion, says Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin.

He said that motorists can now use the road and he also anticipated that cross-border movement and trade with the nearest Indonesian regency of Sambas to pick up once a vital bridge linking it to the CIQ Complex in Biawak near the border with Indonesia is ready within the next two months.

He also said the road was of Public Works Department’s R5 standard, which was even of higher standard than the road leading to the other CIQ complexes in Tebedu and Lubok Antu.

“The Jalan Biawak was once a sick project because it was supposed to be completed in the middle of last year. But because of some problems, JKR had no choice but to terminate the contractor (previously involved with the project) and it was taken over by JKR themselves on direct labour. All the earthworks are done by JKR, while the civil works were tendered out.

“Today we can say Alleluia (praise to God), because by this month all the premix work would have been done. As for the bridge, the contractor has assured us that it can be used during Gawai time, meaning that it can be used in the next two months,” he told reporters after inspecting the project yesterday.

Manyin, also PBB vice-president, said the people in the area should reciprocate and show their appreciation by continuing to give the mandate to Barisan Nasional in the fast approaching general election. The road project is located in the Opar state constituency and Mas Gading parliamentary constituency.

On a related matter, Manyin and JKR southern region manager Vincent Tan confirmed the cost of the project had not escalated above the RM30 million originally approved.

“The cost is still the same. We have not overrun the costs, still within the contract,” said Tan, with Manyin adding it was possible because the overhead was low as JKR paid the workers.

The project, which was left abandoned in 2010 for 11 months before JKR took over, has long been maligned and played up by the opposition during the 2011 state election.

Several demonstrations have also been held by frustrated villagers and disgruntled sub-contractors who were not paid by the previous contractor.

But judging from yesterday’s visit, the whole stretch of the 18km road has been tar-sealed although there were still machinery on the road and workers were seen busy on some stretches applying the final touches.

The project, implemented under the federal government’s stimulus package in 2009, is supposed to replace the access road to Biawak which has been in existence since 1960s, built by the military during the Confrontation period.

Around 10 villages — Rukam, Seding, Tanjam, Opek, Jangkar, Jantan, Pasir Ulu, Pasir Tengah, Biawak and Kendaiee — mostly people of the Bidayuh Selako and Rara groups will benefit from the project.

Meanwhile, Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina hoped to see economic spinoff for the people living along the road once the road is fully completed before Gawai in June.

He said there were many potentials waiting to be explored, including a tourism potential at a seven-tier waterfall between Jangkar and Jantan.

“In fact, several foreigners have already found out about the waterfall.

“There is potential to build a resort there,” he said.

Lundu District Officer Azmi Bujang said the possibility of building a trading centre near the Biawak CIQ Complex was being looked into. Expected to cost RM1 million, he said the centre would provide business opportunities for the locals.