KUCHING: Communities in the remote areas of Baram are set to enjoy improved road connectivity following the Sarawak Government’s decision to take over more than 7,000 kilometres of logging roads across the state.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said that of the total length, some 2,700 kilometres of logging roads are located in the Baram area, serving as vital access routes for residents in remote areas.

According to him, the move will enable the roads to be maintained, repaired and upgraded in phases using MARRIS funds allocated by the Federal Government.

“We are deeply grateful when the Premier of Sarawak informed us that the Sarawak Government has decided to take over all logging roads in the state involving more than 7,000 kilometres.

“Of that total, 2,700 kilometres are located in the Baram Division. Once these roads are gazetted as state roads, we become eligible to receive MARRIS funding for phased maintenance, repairs and upgrading works,” he said.

He said this after leading a courtesy visit involving 27 Community Leaders and Village Chiefs (KMKK) from several sub-districts in Baram together with the Sarawak Kelabit Association on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Wednesday.

At the same time, Datuk Gerawat said the communities also conveyed their appreciation to the Premier of Sarawak and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government for various development initiatives implemented in Bario, including 24-hour electricity supply, telecommunications and internet connectivity, as well as clean water supply.

He added that among the key requests submitted to the Sarawak Premier was the upgrading of the logging road stretching from Lapok Town to Bario, which connects more than 100 longhouses in the interior.

In addition, the Kelabit community also appealed for the enhancing of the Bario rice industry through modernisation and mechanisation to enhance production output of the specialty rice, which is still largely cultivated using traditional methods.

The Mulu Assemblyman said Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also shared several modern approaches currently being implemented in paddy cultivation projects elsewhere in Sarawak that have significantly increased production yields.

At the same time, the Kelabit community also submitted a request for the creation of a Temenggong position for the Kelabit community, similar to other Orang Ulu minority communities including the Lun Bawang, Bisaya and Penan communities. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Gabriel Rommy
Photo: Rais Sanusi
Translator: Uilson Ng