RM40 million works on dilapidated Jalan Pulau Dudong set to kick off in Q1 2025

SIBU (July 9): The upgrading works on Jalan Pulau Dudong, costing RM40 million, should commence in the first quarter of next year, said Wong Ching Yong.

In this regard, the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman was hopeful that the tender would be called within the fourth quarter of this year.

“The upgrading works on the 7.6km stretch, turning it into a single carriageway, are estimated to take about two years to reach completion.

“By that time, Jalan Pulau Dudong would become another major trunk road linking Jalan Kong Yik Khim to Sibu Jaya and Sibu Airport, with the travelling time to be reduced considerably,” he told a press conference after SUPP Dudong’s ‘Kopitiam Talk’ mobile service programme here yesterday.

Wong said the project was approved under mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia (12MP), with Public Works Department (JKR) as the implementing agency.

According to him, Jalan Pulau Dudong was built some 20 years ago.

“Over the years, its condition has turned into dilapidation, caused by logging activities. There are about four longhouses along Jalan Pulau Dudong, and the respective ‘tuai rumah’ (chieftains) have been approaching JKR, requesting it to repair the road.

“Partial repairs have been undertaken, but they are not satisfactorily improving the road condition.”

Adding on, Wong recalled that during the campaigning for the last parliamentary polls in 2022, he together with Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng and SUPP Dudong secretary Kong Sing Ping had met up with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Sibu Airport to explain the justifications behind the proposed works on certain major infrastructures in Sibu, namely an Olympic-standard swimming pool in Sibu Jaya, a new multi-purpose transit centre at Bukit Tungga in Durin, and Jalan Pulau Dudong.

“We explained to him the importance of upgrading Jalan Pulau Dudong. We’re happy that the Premier approved the proposal that day,” said Wong.

Wong also said he and Chieng had jointly written a letter dated Nov 14, 2022 to the Premier, and JKR had fought for the proposal to be included in the mid-term review of the 12MP.

“And now, the RM40 million (allocation for upgrading works on Jalan Pulau Dudong) has been approved and the consultants have been appointed,” he said.

Additionally, he said the Bukit Tungga multi-purpose transit centre project was also approved under the mid-term review of the 12MP.

“Phase 1, costing RM5.6 million, and the tender would be called soon. Hopefully, there would be a Phase 2, as I requested for a funding of RM15 million from the Premier, which he approved. Currently, the amount received is RM5.6 million.”

In this regard, Wong pointed out that one needed not be a people’s elected representative to bring development to an area.

“I was only a candidate during the last general election.”