Proposed new road to provide better, shorter access to Penan settlement
KUCHING: Access for the Lusong Laku Penan settlement in Bakun will be greatly improved if plans for an new road are to be implemented.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon has proposed to the government to build a new road to the community of about 1,000 to Bakun HEP lake which would cut their access to the outside world from 55 km through a logging track to 12 km.
“The whole idea of getting a new alternative road for the people of Lusong Laku is to provide better connectivity for them. Currently, the only road leading to their vil lage is a former logging road which needs very high maintenance,” Chukpai told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
He added that a consultant has made the necessary studies for the alternative road and if all goes well it could take off next year.
“I hope the government would approve the fund, if not the road will be constructed under a private fi nance initiative ( PFI), provided there is a defer payment guarantee by the government. Our peoples need connectivity,” Chukpai explained.
Chukpai said that the 12 km road would cost about RM120 million which include the construction of few major bridges.
“In the meantime, we are seeking RM16.37 million from JKR to repair and maintain the current former logging road into a gravel road to ensure that the people will not be totally cut off in case of heavy rain when the three could be washed away, like in the case on July 6,” he explained, adding that a few bridges were washed away after heavy rain and affected the people of Lusong Laku and teachers and medical staff working in the area.
Meanwhile, Chukpai disclosed that all the bridges washed by flood water on July 6, have been repaired on a gotong-royong basis with the logging company operating in the area; including some local community leaders and PRS Youth from Murum.
“We managed to repair the affected bridges and upgrade the road at a total cost of RM100,000. For that we are very thankful to Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong who approved RM50,000 from his minor rural project ( MRP) fund and the balance from my own MRP fund,” he said.
He would organise a simple ceremony on July 29 to appreciate those who have contributed their time and efforts to repair the road recently.