RM247 mil Ulu Paku-Ulu Kota road project to slash Betong-Sarikei travel by 50km by 2027

Uggah (second left) and others visiting the Ulu Paku/Ulu Kota Road construction site to check on its progress on Dec 12, 2023.

KUCHING, Dec 14: The ongoing construction of the RM247 million Ulu Paku-Ulu Kota new link road is expected to significantly reduce travel time on the highway between Betong and Sarikei towns by about 50km upon its completion in January 2027.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that the Sarawak government-approved 20km road will extend from the Pan Borneo Highway near Spaoh, Betong to Pakan, Sarikei.

“The construction is currently progressing at 4.4 per cent or 44 days ahead of schedule. This is very satisfactory, and we hope the contractor can maintain the momentum,” he said in a press statement today following a visit to the construction site on Tuesday (Dec 12) to check on its progress.

Accompanying the Deputy Premier on the visit were Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan and Krian assemblyman Friday Belik.

Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), pointed out that the road would pass through the interior parts of Bukit Saban, Krian, and Pakan constituencies.

“The three of us are very happy that this link road project is now a reality.

“We would like to thank Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for allocating RM247 million for its construction under the Second Trunk Road package,” he expressed.

Noting that the road is expected to be completed by January 2027, Uggah however expressed his hope for the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak to complete the project by the end of 2026.

Prior to the construction of the new road, residents in the area relied on Jalan Sesco, a road built by Sarawak Energy Supply Corporation for the purpose of erecting transmission line towers, which is now inoperable due to missing links.

“The department and the three of us will monitor the construction closely as this is a very important road,” Uggah assured.

Meanwhile, both Mawan and Friday expressed their enthusiasm for the long-awaited project.

Mawan believes the road will solve communication challenges in the interior, while Friday sees it as providing impetus for development in the surrounding areas. — DayakDaily