S’wak govt to build more coastal, inland roads to connect rural areas

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Julaihi (eleventh right) having a photo call with other guests with the background of the Second Limbang River Bridge project.

LIMBANG: The state government will build more coastal and inland roads including bridges to connect rural areas and remote settlements in the state.

Assistant Minister of Coastal Road, Datuk Julaihi Narawi said Sarawak needed road linkages that connect settlements in both the hinterland and coastal areas, besides connecting the missing links.

He said his ministry is preparing the tender for the Public Works Department (JKR) who will subsequently assess the qualified contractors to build the over 900 kilometres coastal roads connecting areas from Lundu in the south to Lambir (Miri) in north Sarawak.

“We are targeting the latest by June next year to begin construction of the bridges and coastal roads as well as the missing links from the southern to the northern parts of Sarawak,” he said during a working visit to the site of the Sungai Limbang Second Bridge project here on Monday..

Among those present were Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Development (MIDT) Anuar Da’an.

Julaihi, who is also the Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Development said besides constructing the connecting roads, his ministry also prioritises upgrading of coastal roads, which is the main agenda of the state government.

As for Limbang, he said the government will also improve road linkages by upgrading the coastal roads involving the 14KM Ipai Pendam road at a cost of RM14 million, the proposed construction of the 16KM Kampung Bulantak/Limpaku Pinang road (RM91 million), constructing the 4KM Rangau/Kuala Limbang (RM20 million) and Bukit Lubok, Kampung Seberang roads costing RM12 million.

“These coastal roads and bridges currently being implemented are alternative and significant routes to the rural population. Once completed, they will not only change the landscapes there but also boost the living standard of the people,” he stressed.

On the second Limbang River Bridge project, he said works are progressing smoothly and the bridge is expected to be completed by 2021.

“The 760 metres bridge worth RM187 million will be part of the main road connecting Limbang with Brunei and subsquently Lawas and Sipitang Sabah,” he said.