Federal-state delegation surveys Baram's poor rural roads, eyes urgent action
Anyi points at the damaged bridge at Sungai Medan, as (from right) Dennis, Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Najib look on.
LONG LAPOK (April 24): Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel earlier today led a delegation, comprising senior officials from the federal Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and several other government agencies, to inspect the condition of logging roads and former logging routes in the interior of Baram.
The visit, prompted by concerns raised by Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau, aims to assess the accessibility and infrastructure challenges faced by rural communities in the region.
Muhammad Abdullah said the inspection formed part of a concerted effort to better understand the realities on the ground, particularly those affecting rural communities.
'This visit is our responsibility as civil servants. We brought along officials from Putrajaya, the Ministry of Economy, as well as other federal and state agencies so that they can witness the conditions for themselves.
'Tomorrow (April 25), we will be holding a lab session to further discuss possible solutions to this issue,' he told The Borneo Post during the site visit.
He pointed out that road accessibility is crucial not only for the convenience of rural communities, but also for civil servants such as teachers and medical personnel who are stationed in remote areas.
On the road conditions, he said the difference between unmaintained and maintained logging roads is obvious.
'However, even the maintained ones remain far from comfortable.
'Proper road access is essential for mobility, connectivity, and the overall well-being of these communities,' he added.
Photo shows a collapsed logging bridge at Sungai Medan, which forced the delegation to divert to Uma Bawang instead of Long Suling.
Moreover, Muhammad Abdullah expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the federal officials who made the trip despite their tight schedules.
'We're grateful for their willingness to come down to the ground. Although infrastructure falls under federal jurisdiction, close cooperation is needed.
'We hope this visit leads to stronger support and funding from Putrajaya,' he said.
The delegation included Ministry of Economy deputy director I (Spatial and Rural Development) Wan Muhammad Najib Wan Abdul; KKDW Putrajaya Principal assistant secretary Mohd Naim Norman; KKDW Sarawak senior civil engineer Sabariah Nawawi; Miri Resident Galong Luang; and Telang Usan District officer Ezra Uda.
Meanwhile, Dennis, who also joined the visit, said he has repeatedly urged the relevant authorities to come down to the ground to see and experience for themselves the poor condition of the roads faced by the rural communities.
Today's visit, he added, was the result of his request to the Deputy State Secretary during a briefing at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Northern Zone Triennial Delegates' Conference last December, where he had raised the issue of damaged roads and collapsed bridges, especially in his constituency.
'I requested for the government to hold a lab session with all stakeholders, including representatives from our constituencies, where we can discuss and find the best possible solution to this long standing issue affecting our rural communities.'
Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, who was also present, stated that it is high time for both the state and federal governments to resolve the worsening infrastructure issues in Baram, which have become increasingly critical in recent years.
He stressed that both the state and federal governments must work together to find the best way forward for this problem that has persisted for far too long.
'In fact, I have often raised this matter in Parliament,' he said.
He thus urged the government to immediately allocate special funds for the repair and maintenance of all former logging roads and damaged bridges throughout his constituency.
The delegation today was scheduled to visit several damaged roads and bridges up to Long Suling, Baram, but diverted to Uma Bawang due to a damaged logging bridge at Sungai Medan.
They are also expected to have a closed-door lab session tomorrow (April 25) aimed at formulating strategies for improving rural infrastructure in the Baram parliamentary constituency. Baram Dennis Ngau logging roads Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel rural roads
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