A PILOT programme in Baram to manage rural road connectivity has secured three proponents on two-year contracts, each requiring an annual funding of RM5 million, totaling RM15 million from the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
In his ministerial winding-up speech on Wednesday (May 15) Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the maintenance work, set to commence in June 2024, aims to be completed efficiently and promptly, ensuring safer and better roads for users.
“Last year, the Public Works Department Sarawak (PWD) received RM465 million under MARRIS for the maintenance of Jalan Raya Negeri (JRN) and Jalan Kampung (JKPG), covering approximately 15,301 km.
“I wish to inform this House that 99.71 per cent of the allocation has been spent, with RM279 million for Long Term Management and Maintenance (LTMM) contracts and RM186 million for the maintenance of Jalan Raya Negeri, Jalan Kampung, and other jobs,” he said.
For 2024, Uggah added, a sum of RM495 million has been approved under MARRIS for approximately 15,314 km of roads.
The expected expenditure includes RM280 million for LTMM contracts and RM215 million for the maintenance of Jalan Raya Negeri, Jalan Kampung, and other jobs.
“The rakyat depend on reliable land infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to carry out their daily activities. Unfortunately, natural disasters such as floods and landslides can cause serious damage to infrastructure, affecting people’s mobility and causing hardships.
“As of today, 62 projects have been approved by the Sarawak government with an allocation amounting to RM100 million via the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) for implementation under this programme.
“Currently, 21 projects have been completed, 21 are under construction, and the remaining 20 are at the pre-contract stage,” he said.
