LAWAS: The road construction project from Kampung Murud Suang to Persimpangan Long Pos is posed to serve as an important catalyst in strengthening the rural communication network, thus stimulating local economic growth.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the RM112.7 million project is a Federal Government initiative under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak to provide more comfortable and safe road facilities to the residents.

“Projects that have been approved and have allocations, even if not fully allocated, must be implemented immediately.

"If we wait until the complete allocation is distributed, we will just continue to wait without taking action," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Road Construction Project from Kampung Murud Suang to Persimpangan Long Pos in Kampung Murud Suang, on Sunday.

In the meantime, the Bukit Sari Assemblyman stressed that the appointed contractor must ensure that the implementation of the project adheres to the schedule and specifications set, in addition to continuous monitoring to ensure the quality of the work.

At the same time, he called for the cooperation of the villagers to facilitate the implementation of the project, including in the aspect of land acquisition.

"We will ensure that every land involved, including native customary land that has proof of ownership, will be compensated according to the regulations, including existing crops," he explained.

According to him, long-term interests must be prioritised for the development of the area and the well-being of the local community.

"A strong spirit of cooperation and unity is the foundation of our strength.

"Let us not be influenced by a few parties who are only interested in themselves to the point of affecting the harmony of the community," he said.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also stressed that infrastructure development such as the road project will open up more economic opportunities and improve the living standards of the people in Lawas, in line with Sarawak’s development agenda.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, Sarawak DID Director Datu Ir Ts Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Sarawak State Development Director Dato Jasni Jubli, Limbang Division Resident Yunus Tambi as well as representatives of implementing agencies and local community leaders. -UKASnews