KUCHING: Residents in the northern interior of Sarawak will enjoy more comfortable, faster and safer travel facilities through the Miri–Marudi, Marudi–Mulu (Kuala Melinau) and Long Lama–Long Panai (MMMLL) Road Project by the Sarawak Government implemented through the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA).

The mega project worth RM3.8 billion will be officially launched by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, at the Marudi Light Industrial Area, here in Marudi on November 15.

RECODA Chief Executive Officer, Datu Ismawi Ismuni said the MMMLL project is an important initiative to strengthen the road network in northern Sarawak and open up new opportunities for economic growth and rural tourism.

"When completed, the MMMLL project will significantly speed up travel time from Miri to Marudi, taking only 30 minutes compared to over 1 hour 40 minutes currently, while Marudi to Mulu (Kuala Melinau) takes around 90 minutes, and from Long Panai to Long Lama is about 60 minutes.

"Apart from saving time, this new road will also improve safety and comfort for users, with R5 construction standards for the Miri–Marudi alignment and R3 for the Marudi–Mulu and Long Panai–Long Lama routes, in line with the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 2 (SSLR2) project which will continue in Kuala Melinau," he said in a press conference at his office here on Monday.

Datu Ismawi added that the MMMLL project is also poised to directly benefit local economic growth, the tourism sector, including the agriculture and small enterprise sectors by facilitating the marketing of agricultural products and access to new markets.

He further explained that the construction of a land route to Mulu, which can only be reached by flight, will also open up new opportunities for the tourism sector in this region.

"So far, tourists have had to take a flight to Mulu. With the new road, more tourists will be able to visit, thus boosting the local economy, especially in Marudi which will become a major stop for tourism and trade,” he said.

In the meantime, the construction of access roads to the main settlements in the area, including schools in Long Ukok, Long Linei and Long Panai is also part of the scope of the project.

The MMMLL Launching Ceremony scheduled for this Saturday is expected to start from 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

The event will be enlivened with performances from local artists including Dayana Shini, Lucy M, Firdaus Materang and Eyqa Saiful, in addition to 15 attractive lucky draw prizes awaiting visitors. -UKASnews