LAWAS: The Sarawak Government remains committed to strengthening rural infrastructure development involving the construction of roads, water supply, electricity and telecommunication to improve the well-being and standard of living of the community in the interior areas including villages and longhouses.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that several key projects in the Merapok area and its surroundings have been approved and are set to be implemented in stages.

According to him, among the projects that will be implemented include the construction of a road leading to Rumah Ajan which has been approved with an allocation of approximately RM50 million and is expected to commence before the end of this year.

“The government will also construct a road to Meragang Station to support the economic development of the area including buffalo farming and cheese production projects which will benefit the local residents,” he said.

He said this when speaking during the Pre-Gawai event held at Rumah Ajan, Merapok here on Sunday night.

The Bukit Sari Assemblyman added that the Sarawak Government also prioritises the needs of rural residents through efforts to expand clean water supply to villages along the Merapok area to Long Sukang and Long Tuyu.

In addition, he said, the new water treatment plant project near Kampung Pengalih will increase the water supply capacity, thus meeting the needs of residents in the area.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also stressed that improvements to electrical and telecommunication facilities will continue to be expanded to the interior to increase economic development opportunities for rural communities.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development of Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, Batu Danau Assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Division Resident Unus Tambi, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Awangku Jinal Abedin Datuk Pengiran Jawa, Lawas District Officer Ladin Atok and Penghulu Ajan Renang. -UKASnews