MURUM assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon suggests that the government allocate a dedicated fund of at least RM3 million in each Public Works Department (PWD) division or district office as a proactive measure for emergencies, specifically when roads are cut off.
He said when debating on the 2024 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today (Nov 23).
He pointed out the fund would enable relevant authorities to promptly repair roads, ensuring access for the people while awaiting the comprehensive upgrade of former logging roads.
Cgukpai made this statement while requesting for clarification from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MIPD), the Public Works Department, and all relevant agencies about the status of applications and initiatives aimed at improving former logging roads, which served as the primary access routes to villages and longhouses in the interior of Sarawak.
“Especially in the Murum constituency, such as in the areas of Jelalong, Tubau, Ulu Sg. Belaga, Long Urun, Metalun, Tegulang, Sg. Linau, and Sg. Asap. The estimated total length of former logging roads which connect 70 longhouses in the Murum constituency is 374 km.
“For the information of this august House, on the first day of this State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session, I received a phone call from a longhouse, Rh. Felix Amit Jerangku, Ulu Jelalong, Tubau, informing me that a timber crossing on the former logging road to the longhouse had collapsed, thus causing their transportation route to be cut off.
“This undoubtedly hinders the residents’ daily activities. I am deeply concerned and sympathetic to the plight of our people in the interior, especially during the rainy season and floods. Sometimes these roads are impassable due to collapsed or eroded timber crossings,” he said.
Chukpai has pledged to utilise his limited Minor Rural Project (MRP) and Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) allocations to provide assistance. He said these efforts were, however, only temporary or short-term. Occasionally, the villagers must collaborate to repair these roads as there was no alternative.
“I earnestly hope that the government will promptly address this matter seriously so that the people in the interior, especially in Murum, can also enjoy safe and comfortable road facilities like other places in Sarawak.
“In this budget, road development, including bridges in the interior, is a government priority as a catalyst for rural development,” he said.
