Looking forward to CM’s visit
People in Belaga are turning to Abang Johari to alleviate their predicament during his visit to their area
KUCHING: Belaga folk hope Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s visit to the town on Wednesday ( Dec 27) will result in resolutions for outstanding issues such as poor road conditions, as well as no water and electricity supply to many villages in the district.
Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said the people have high hopes Abang Johari will bring good news.
“The Chief Minister’s visit to Belaga is highly anticipated by the local people because he is the only person who can solve the many problems faced by the people here, especially the Menjawah-Belaga road, which is now totally cut off as many sections along the road have been affected by landslides and erosion,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
This will be Abang Johari’s fi rst visit since taking over as Chief Minister early this year.
Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Permanent Secretary Datu Safri Zainuddin said works to repair the Menjawah-Belaga Raod will resume as soon as flooding has receded.
“We are still doing the road diversion at KM12 Menjawah Belaga Road. We are still not sure whether the road will be fully passable by next Wednesday because we are encountering hard shale when constructing the diversion. We are bringing special equipment to work on the shale.
“We already have a plan to upgrade the road with an estimated sum of RM80 million. We hope to get it going during the mid-term review, which is next year, so that the road could be widened and improved,” he said.
Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion pointed out that as the road was built by the army under its Jiwa Murni programme, it is still under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.
He is the only person who can solve the many problems faced by the people here, especially the MenjawahBelaga road, which is now totally cut off as many sections along the road have been affected by landslides and erosion. Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Hulu Rajang MP
He said to get the necessary funding, the status of the road needs to be changed and placed under the Ministry of Works.
Meanwhi le, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) executive secretary Datuk Awang Bujang Awang Antek, who was stranded in Belaga in the last few days, managed to return to Kuching by speedboat from Belaga to Bakun Dam and then by road to Bintulu.
“I would like to record my sincere thanks to The Borneo Post for highlighting the plight of my people in Belaga. So we hope that with the Chief Minister’s visit, he will bring some good news,” said Awang Bujang, who is PBB Belaga deputy chairman.