SARATOK: The road upgrading project from Kampung Kupang to the junction of Bajau Road here and the construction of a bridge over the Krian River, costing a total of RM180 million will have a major impact on the economic development of the people in the area.
Assistant Minister of Coastal Road, Datuk Julaihi Narwawi said out of the total sum, RM90 million is for road upgrading from Kampung Kupang to Bajau junction covering 20 kilometres and another RM90 million for a 300-metre bridge over Krian River to Saratok town.
According to Julaihi, the project was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Najib Tun Razak during a ‘Walk About’ programme at Saratok town on 2 May, 2016.
“The project is under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKLW) and thus far the road is in the planning and designing stage by the Public Works Department.
“After that, the implementation will begin and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
“The project will benefit more than 1,000 residents from 250 houses in Kampung Kupang and 11 longhouses in the area.”
“Apart from that, it will also shorten the travel time of the residents from the area to Saratok town which presently takes two hours but after the project is completed, the travel time from the village to Saratok town will only take 30 minutes,” he told reporters after a working visit to the project site as well as meeting residents and have lunch at Kampung Kupang’s community hall.
Julaihi also pointed out that the programme was a continuous effort to provide benefit to the people at the grassroots level and not just only during election period.
“Today, I visit the road upgrading project from Kampung Kupang to Bajau junction covering 20 kilometres. This is part of the road connecting areas in Saratok to Saratok town and the Pan Borneo Highway.
“Some access roads to several longhouses and Kampung Kupang will be also upgraded.
“All these are for the benefit and enjoyment of residents in the area,” he said.
Kelaka assemblyman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir, Betong Resident Friday Belik, Saratok District Officer Mohd Ikhmal Abdullah, Betong JKR engineer Mehan Jorai were among those present.
