Reconsider rejected Lingga-Banting access road project, rep tells SPA

Borneo Post

23-05-2025

Dayang Noorazah says that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (May 23): Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS-Lingga) has urged the State Planning Authority (SPA) to reconsider approving the proposed construction of an 11.3-kilometre access road connecting Lingga to Banting.
She noted that the RM86.5 million project, proposed under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) allocation, was previously rejected by SPA due to an existing alternative route through Empelanjau.
'As the elected representative, I am voicing the hopes of the people of Lingga who wish for this road construction proposal to be given due consideration.
'The construction of this road would not only shorten travel distance for Banting residents to Lingga and Sebuyau but also ease their access to government services such as the Lingga District Office and the Health Clinic,' she said while debating the Motion of Appreciation for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
She added that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity.
In addressing rural infrastructure concerns, she highlighted the recurring issue of floods affecting agricultural areas in the Maludam sub-district, which have severely impacted crop yields.
'The floods and high tides impact several villages, including Kampung Sungai Maludam, Sungai Melebu, Sungai Mulon, Sungai Daun, Sungai Merantik, Sungai Pedada and Tanjung Baru Maludam,' she said.
Although RM40 million has been allocated by the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) for a flood mitigation project in Maludam, she argued that the funding is insufficient to address both flood prevention and agricultural infrastructure needs.
'Therefore, I appeal to the Sarawak government to consider additional funding for the second phase of the Flood Mitigation Project and the development of agricultural infrastructure in the area under the 13th Malaysia Plan,' she said.
On a separate note, Dayang Noorazah congratulated the State Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development on the establishment of Sarawak's first One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC).
'The encouraging response received shows a pressing need to establish more OSEIC centres across all divisions of the state, especially in Sri Aman Division,' she said.
She further urged that these efforts be expanded to meet the growing demand from parents of special needs children diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, or learning disabilities. Banting Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor DUN road project