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File photo of the Belaga-Menjawah Road constructed under the Jiwa Murni Programme is now being upgraded to a JKR R1 Standard Road. Advertisement
By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 16: The Public Works Department (JKR) and Ministry of Defence have been urged to expedite the formal handover of Jiwa Murni road connecting Kapit, Baleh, Merit and Belaga to allow urgent upgrading, maintenance and road safety improvements to be carried out without further delay.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang made the call when debating the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting today, citing frequent accidents, including fatal incidents, along the road as a serious public safety concern.
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He said the existing 60km Baleh-Merit stretch and 130km Merit-Belaga stretch had improved connectivity and opened up new socio-economic opportunities for communities in the interior.
However, he said the condition of the roads continued to raise safety concerns, warranting urgent intervention.
“In view of these serious safety concerns, I strongly urge the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Ministry of Defence to expedite the formal handover of Jalan Jiwa Murni, so that the necessary upgrading, maintenance and road safety improvements can be undertaken without further delay,” he said.
Nyabong also called on the Sarawak government to engage closely with the federal government to speed up the handover process.
“This is not merely a matter of administrative procedure. It is a matter of public safety,” he said, stressing that road connectivity must not come at the expense of road users’ safety.
“We cannot afford to wait for more lives to be lost before the necessary improvements are made,” he added.
Separately, Nyabong called for a revenue re-engineering mechanism to strengthen local authority services in Kapit Division, proposing that a portion of revenue generated from natural resources be channelled back to the regions contributing to Sarawak’s economy.
He said Kapit Division contributed significantly to the State’s economy through its natural resources, including hydroelectric power, but its vast geographical area, scattered rural settlements and high service delivery costs posed significant challenges.
He said a dedicated funding mechanism could help local authorities improve essential services, including waste management, public lighting, drainage and basic amenities for rural communities.
“Kapit should not merely contribute to Sarawak’s revenue. Its people must also enjoy a fair share of the development and prosperity generated from its resources,” he said. — DayakDaily
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