Authorities want contractor for Samarahan military camp expansion to use alternative routes  

KOTA SAMARAHAN (July 16): The Federal Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) have called on the contractor for a military camp expansion project here to use alternative routes.

At present the contractor’s heavy vehicles and machinery use Lorong Bukit Berangan Ria 10 to go to and from the site.

During a discussion today with PCB, MPKS, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, and other relevant parties and agencies, the residents’ association pointed out the disturbance and significant damage caused by the project on the narrow residential lane.

PCB director general Datuk Seri Rosida Jaafar said two alternative routes have been proposed.

“However, we need to discuss these alternative routes with the landowners. We have given two weeks for these discussions to take place and to obtain the right of way from the landowners,” she told The Borneo Post.

“We aim to approach the landowners in a very amicable manner. If they agree, we will proceed with the alternative routes to prevent the lorries from passing through here again.”

During the two-week discussion period, the contractor will continue to use Lorong 10 to go to the construction site.

“The residents’ association has agreed to bear with it for the time being, as the discussions may take some time,” Rosida noted.

She said if the landowners of the two proposed routes do not agree, the contractor will continue using Lorong 10, but will repair any potholes or damage when informed by the residents’ association.

MPKS chairman Datuk Peter Minos said the council has had several meetings with the contractor and developer.

“We had asked them to use an alternative road before, but they have not done so yet. Understandably, this has caused frustration among the homeowners,” he said.

“The project involves construction activities within the military camp, but the contractor has been using Lorong 10 for transport needs. This complaint by the residents was lodged about a year ago. Now, I am pleased that the federal level has come to mediate between the contractor and us.”

Minos stressed MPKS wants the contractor to establish and use an alternative route.

He added potholes on the lane were only recently repaired.