Children of Long Panai greet Baru during his visit to the rural area.
LONG PANAI, Baram: The Sarawak-Sabah link road project that has been approved by the federal government is good news for the people in the rural areas, especially those living in the interiors of Ulu Baram.
Works Minister Baru Bian said residents of Ulu Baram had given a very positive response towards the project, which would open up greater opportunities for the economic development of the Orang Ulu community, who mostly live in areas along the proposed road.
Anthony Juk Ngau
“The response from the rural communities in settlements along the proposed road is excellent, as they understand that this is the first federal road to come to their areas in the interiors of Miri, Limbang and Lawas.
“You can imagine, after over 50 years in Malaysia, this is the first time federal road will come to their areas and therefore, they are excited about the project,” Baru told reporters during his visit here recently.
Baru was confident that the construction of the proposed road from Long Lama, Limbang, and Lawas to Sabah without going through Brunei would attract various activities including agro-tourism.
Meanwhile, residents of Ulu Baram hoped that the road could be realised as soon as possible to facilitate the movement of rural people, who are still lagging behind in road connectivity.
Long Atip headman Wilson Anyie said as a resident of Apoh, Ulu Baram, he was very pleased to hear the news that the road to be built by the federal government would pass through their village.
Laeng Jok
“So, we really hope that the road would be built quickly,” he said.
Another resident of Ulu Baram, Anthony Juk Ngau, concurred with Wilson.
“This is what we, the rural residents of Ulu Baram, have been hoping for all these years.
“With this road, it would also make it easier for villagers to go to the city, looking at the current road conditions that are not very conducive, especially during the rainy season,” said Anthony.
Ulu Baram resident Laeng Jok also hoped that the road project to be implemented later could spur the agricultural activities in the rural areas.
“It is hoped that it would also boost rural income from various industries, especially agriculture, by allowing us to bring our homegrown produce to a wider market in the future,” he added.
Concurring with Laeng, Jau Laing emphasised that existing road conditions also made it difficult for the villagers living in the city to go back to their villages, especially during the festive seasons.
“If we look at the existing road conditions, especially during festive occasions like Christmas where we look forward to our villagers returning home, there are many problems that we face.
“Road connectivity remains a major concern for the people in the rural areas, including Baram,” he added.
During the course of his visit to here, Baru also attended a meet-the-people session and officiated at the closing ceremony of SMK Tutoh Apoh’s annual sports meet.