(Front, from second left) Julaihi, Awang Tengah, Henry, Maria and Naroden have a discussion at the site.
LAWAS: The coastal road here is vital to improve the connectivity of coastal settlements to the proposed new airport and port, as well as to boost economic growth and the mobility of people and goods in the district.
Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the state government is studying the needs and problems of the area by going to the ground.
“When we go to the ground, only then would we be able to know first-hand the needs, peculiarities and solutions required to resolve issues instead of merely relying on reports,” he said after inspecting the Awat Awat/Palau Sari/Kuala Lawas coastal road with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Also in the group were Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Assistant Minister of E-Commerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Limbang Resident Datu Maria Hasman, and Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim.
Julaihi said the proposed new airport would serve the population of northern Sarawak and southern Sabah, while the proposed port would be a catalyst for the development of industries in the district.
He added that more site visits would be conducted in coastal regions to develop further recommendations.
“Listening to the people on the ground and seeing with our own eyes the respective locality peculiarities and the rationale behind suggestions by local communities are important inputs for the statement government and our ministry,” he said.