KAPIT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given the green light for the construction of the Samaram-Kapit road, spanning 72km, here Sunday (Sept 29) to ensure the development of the Kapit area.
He also said that the road that had been proposed along the slopes of the Rajang River for the area, which had not yet been approved by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and the Sarawak government, has also been given the go-ahead.
“Of course, the cost will be high, exceeding RM500 million, but the Works Minister is Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. So, if it’s delayed, ask Nanta.
“PWD (Public Works Department) must start, and if there is funding next year, we will begin phase one. I believe, at the latest, by the end of next year or early 2026, the road will be on schedule,” he said.
He said this at the Kapit Civic Centre in conjunction with the ‘Pemimpin bersama Rakyat’ (Leaders with the People) programme on Sunday (Sept 29) which was also attended by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He added that the federal government is also paying attention to dilapidated schools and clinics in the Kapit area.
“Among the other projects approved is the shortcut from the Kapit Government Complex to the Airport Road, which is one of the projects I will be focusing on,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, who is also the MP for Kapit, said that the construction of the road would ensure the government’s efforts to develop Kapit can proceed smoothly, and public infrastructure facilities need to be improved.
“After the ferry boat operations stopped, our people on the other side were cut off from transport links. Abang Johari has approved many projects, some of which have been completed, while others are still in progress.
“The roads from the banks of the Batang Rajang River to the upriver areas, where the riverine longhouse settlements are located, have been provided by the state government, and to connect all these roads, we require a second trunk road (Samaram-Kapit spanning 72 km),” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Digital who is also Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah.
