PANTU: The Pantu District is set to witness a surge in development through the proposal of implementation of 13 new projects with an estimated total cost of RM500 million.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said that all the projects involved allocations from the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA), the Sri Aman District Council (MDSA) and several other government agencies.

According to him, one of the main projects is the construction of the Muding-Tuba-Mentu Road along 42 kilometres by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and the Public Works Department (JKR) at a cost of RM265.5 million which is currently underway.

"It was followed by the proposed Menangkin/Menuang road project amounting to RM77.5 million, the proposed Batang Strap-Sapak-Isu-Munggu Ubah project worth RM60.3 million, the Sebemban/Gayau road project worth RM38.2 million which has already been tendered and the Munggu Ubah road project worth RM35.8 million which is expected to be completed in May 2027," he said.

He said this when officiating the Randau Ruai Programme with YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan at Rumah Augustine Entika, Rapak Tepus, here on Tuesday.

The Balai Ringin Assemblyman added that the remaining proposed projects are the construction of the Pantu Jetty worth RM2.3 million by JKR, the Pantu drainage project worth RM6 million by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Abok farm road worth RM782,000 and the Kampung Limau farm road worth RM1.42 million through SADA and the Department of Agriculture.

In addition, Datuk Snowdan said that also proposed is the construction of the road to Wong Jaban @ Jaong Pantu worth RM4.625 million, the road heading to Wong Beranggong @ Abok worth RM1.3 million by SADA and MDSA, Bukit Kukuk farm road, Sungai Merah worth RM894,000 and the early commencement of the new Pantu District Office project site worth RM5 million.

"Therefore, I hope that all the proposals, including the projects that are being implemented, can have a big impact on the development of Pantu District, especially in terms of basic facilities, road networks and the well-being of rural residents," he added.

At the same programme, he also announced the allocation of Minor Rural Project (MRP) amounting to RM15,000 to the Rapak Tepus Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), in addition to RM5,000 to the Women's Bureau of the organisation. -UKASnews