Road between Kampung Bakam and Sepupok Junction to be upgraded

MIRI: A stretch of the existing coastal road between Kampung Bakam and Sepupok Junction in Niah here will be upgraded.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said currently, the RM160 million state-funded project is at planning stage. “But we hope we can call for the tender within month.”

He said this to the media after officiating the opening ceremony for the RM850,000 Borneo Evangelical Missionary( BEM) church in Saeh, Bekenu here on Friday (July 12).

“We have a federal-funded project as well, which is the upgrading of the road from Rambai to Kampung Bulau in Bekenu.

“This RM60 million project is now in the process of tender documentation but we hope to call for the tender as soon as possible.”

Uggah, who is also the Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, said the Sarawak government had also approved the construction of a bridge costing RM10 million at Kampung Balau, also in Bekenu. “We hope to call for its construction tender in September this year.”

Earlier, he said it was the intention of the Sarawak government to have over 5,000 rural longhouses, villages and other settlements state wide linked by roads by 2030.

Toward this end, he stressed that it would greatly facilitate all development efforts if the people, irrespective of their race or religion or wherever they are, remained united and supportive.

“Reject those who come instigating or manipulating them against the government.

“If you allow them a foothold in your area, they can be cancerous to your unity and your harmony.

“They can cause once closely knit communities, including longhouses to split up.”

On the new church, Uggah, who is the minister in charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), gave assurance that it would continue to assist in the physical development of all non-Islamic houses of worship.

“Do approach our GPS leaders in your area for assistance in applying for the grant.”

He added that Unifor had contributed RM850,000 for the construction of the church.

He also announced a grant of RM72,000 for the 24-door Rh Ayai Sawing in Saeh.
Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus; and Unifor director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau were also present.