JKR takes over Ba Kelalan, Mejawah roads
KUCHING: The Ba Kelalan and Mejawah- Belaga roads which were built by the Armed Forces under its Jiwa Murni programme will be taken over by the Public Works Department (JKR).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, in revealing this, said the JKR would take over the two roads as a result of his recent meeting with the Ministry of Defence ( Mindef) in Putrajaya.
“I want to assure the people of Belaga and Ba Kelalan that JKR will take over their roads from Mindef. Now, we are looking for the money to upgrade the roads,” he said on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.
Samling has taken the initiative to improve the Ba Kelalan road at the cost of RM36 milion.
I want to assure the people of Belaga and Ba Kelalan that JKR will take over their roads from Mindef. Now, we are looking for the money to upgrade the roads.
“Once we have the money, we will pay the contractor, who is also doing it as part of their corporate social responsibility ( CSR) as they are still operating in the area,” said Masing who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation.
Masing also hoped the people of Ba Kelalan would appreciate what the government is doing for them.
“I also hope that the local YB will be more appreciative of what we are doing and not to criticise us all the time.”
On the Mejawah-Belaga road, Masing said JKR would have to redo the road at an estimated cost of RM60-70 million.
“We have to make the road less winding and less steep. But I have to source for the money first before we can start doing it.”
Meanwhile, a transporter from Ba Kelalan, Lion King @ Singa, said Samling had mobilised their heavy machinery to Long Luping to start work on the project.
“We’re glad that works have started as promised and it’s a big relief for the local people using the road.
“On our part, we ( committee) will closely monitor the progress of the work and cooperate with the contractor for smooth implementation of the project,” he said.
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Deputy Chief Minister