Salcra to open up Sungai Tunoh river basin

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Masing (third left) opening the new bridge across Sungai Tunoh.

KAPIT: Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) has been tasked to develop the Sungai Tunoh river basin in Baleh.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing announced this at Tunoh on Saturday when he was there to open a bridge across Sungai Tunoh and to present a letter of appointment to a new Tuai Rumah (longhouse chieftain) in the area. Present were Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Salcra general manager Datu Vasco Sabat Singkang, Salcra’s acting deputy general manager Joseph Blandoi, permanent secretary to Land Development Ministry Datu Jaul Samion, Kapit Resident Fedrick John George and District Officer Elvis Didit.

Masing presenting the letter of appointment to an Iban longhouse chief in Tunoh.

Sungai Tunoh lies at the foot of Bukit Mambong, and is flanked by the Horse Mountain Range, Bakun Dam and Murum Dam on one side and the proposed Baleh Dam on the other.

It is a regional growth centre (RGC), but the government planned to turn it into a district, complete with government offices, police station, army camp, schools and a new township.

At present, a RM77 million bridge is being built at Nanga Mujong. If completed as scheduled by the end of this year, Tunoh could be reached by a four-wheel-drive (4WD) within four hours. Masing said Sungai Tunoh’s 50,000 hectares of undulating land was suitable for commercial agriculture.

“Once developed, it will open up the interior of Kapit Division and house some 5,000 people.”

He added that the area also had eco-tourism potential as the Hose Mountain range and pristine streams rivers are gems for CAN (culture, nature and adventure) tourists.