DUN Sarawak: More than RM1.2 million for development in Katibas

KUCHING, 15 Ok: More than RM1.2 million allocated for development in the Katiba State Legislative Assembly (DUN) area for one term.

Member of the National Assembly (ADUN) Katibas Lidam Assan said that it includes road, bridge, utility, telecommunications, education, and socio-economic projects.

"For rural areas, infrastructure is the foundation for economic development and people's well-being. A highway connects a long house to the town. The bridge connects the previously separate settlements. Clean water supplies improve the quality of life. Electricity enables economic activity to grow. And telecommunications connects rural communities to the digital world.

"With this approach, each project not only produces a physical facility but also becomes an incentive for economic and social development", he said.

He said this while discussing Sarawak Budget 2027 at the 19th Sarawak DUN Conference today.

According to him, among the road projects being implemented are Nanga Kabah Road Project/ SK Beguang/ Sungai Song, Phase 1; Road Project from Jabat House to Assan House, Nanga Engkuah, Phase 1; Road Construction Project from Nanga Bangkit to Ulu Bangkit, Phase 1; Road Construction Project from Nanga Banjor to Nanga Makut; Nanga Lijau Road Project to Ulu Lijau, Phase 1 and 2, under the Timber Cess allocation; and Road to Ulu Engkabau, Lunyin House, Phase 1 and 2 Construction Project which is worth approximately RM383.25 million.

In addition, there are road projects listed for implementation such as the Access Road from Nanga Tekalit to SK Nansang, including the Katibas River Bridge at Nanga Tekalit; Main Road from Nanga Serau to Nanga Seranau, Phase 2, involving a route from Nanga Serau to Nanga Melipis worth RM401 million.

While there are six other road projects listed under the RMK-13 plan with an estimated cost of RM780.5 million.

Meanwhile, there are also bridge projects under construction namely the Katibas River Bridge at Nanga Bangkit; Nanga Santu Bridge, House of Jamba, Iranian River; and RM61 million repair or upgrade work on Musah Bridge.

As for telecommunication facilities, Katibas area has a total of 43 telecommunications towers worth RM54.24 million consisting of eight towers under MCMC USP; 19 towers under MCMC JENDELA; four commercial towers; and 12 towers under SMART600.

In this regard, Lidam reported mobile Internet coverage in populated areas reaching 97.82 percent.

In terms of educational development, he said the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Government of Sarawak through MEITD invested for work on upgrading schools and other projects in Song Region.

Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has successfully lit up six long houses on Tekalit River and four more on Iran Song River through a RM13.1 million RES project.