Pan Borneo Highway: Rethink on Selangau entry point

SELANGAU: A new entry point from the Pan Borneo Highway to the town of Selangau is on order to ensure it does not lose out economically.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who took note of the problem wants the Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) to come up with a blueprint on the matter.

He said the distance from Sibu to Selangau and Bintulu to Selangau has been shortened due to the excellent quality of the Pan Borneo Highway.

“However, I will improve the entry point from the Pan Borneo Highway to the town of Selangau because I see that it is quite far from the locality of Selangau (the township),” he said at a press conference in the Selangau District Office here Monday (Dec 18).

Abang Johari said that Selangau used to be a rest area for people travelling Sibu to Bintulu but that vehicles do not pass through Selangau town since the completion of Pan Borneo Highway.

“If this (matter is not fixed), vehicles will not pass through Selangau, and from an economic perspective, economic activities will be affected to some extent. That’s why I have proposed to the PWD to reconsider the entry point from the Pan Borneo Highway into Selangau.

“The PWD will conduct a study to build an entry point from the Pan Borneo Highway directly into Selangau, exiting onto the existing road,” he said.

Earlier, Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira, said after the recent completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, Selangau town experienced a decrease in visitors due to the highway bypassing the town.

“To attract road users to visit Selangau, it is crucial that the entrances and exits to the town are carefully planned. I have discussed this matter with the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) and PWD Sarawak regarding a proposed entrance road to the town, estimating a cost of RM2 million.

“Therefore, I kindly request consideration and approval of the RM2 million allocation for the purposes,” he said.

In response, Abang Johari, in his speech during the launch of the Selangau Riverfront and District Office, said the cost for the project might exceed RM2 million.

Hence, he requested PWD to come up with a proper plan and blueprint.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Selangau MP Edwin Banta, Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Chairman of the SRDC Sempurai Petrus Ngelai and Selangau District Officer Inting Nyami.