IS IT THERE? Wan Junaidi gesturing at something during his visit to Kampung Muara Tebas to inspect the road upgrading project. — Photo by Mohamad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Kampung Muara Tebas, a Malay traditional fishing village near here, will be free from salt water intrusion once a proposed link road to connect the whole village is completed in future.
Santubong MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the proposed multi-million ringgit link road would be implemented once funds were secured.
“It will benefit about 2,000 people from more than 200 families. At the moment I am still trying to get some funds from the government.”
Wan Junaidi, who is Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, said the entire project would be carried out in phases, with Phase I, which involves the construction of a kilometre long road costing RM1 million, about 90 per cent completed.
Speaking to reporters when visiting the project site yesterday, he said the proposed road system for the village was aimed at replacing the existing plank walks used by the villagers as access to the common road in the village.
“When I first came here in 2006, what I noticed was that this village had no road access. The villagers used wooden planks as their walkway, and this is considered more costly as the materials need to be replaced from time to time.
“After that, I toyed with the idea of having more permanent in nature, and that’s where I came up with the idea of building a proper bitumen road which can also act as a barrier to prevent salt water intrusion even during big waves because the road is being raised by about six feet high.”
He added that once the village was free from salt water intrusion, land at house compounds could be used for activities such as gardening.
“Presently, the villagers cannot cultivate their compound because of the salty water intrusion.”
On the socio-economy of the villagers, Wan Junaidi said around 50 per cent of the population still depended on fishing as their major source of income.
“Most of the villagers here are still very active fishermen. Their Area Fishermen Association (PNK) is among the most active in the state and this coming Thursday they are going to launch their PNK cooperative.”