Sarawak aims for full rural road connectivity by 2030, says Uggah
Uggah (centre) in a discussion with Ismawi (right) and others after officiating at the HDA laboratory today.
KUCHING (June 18): The Sarawak government under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is committed to ensuring all rural settlements in the state are linked by road access by 2030, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
In a statement today, Uggah emphasised that this ambitious goal can be achieved through the implementation of key infrastructure projects under the jurisdiction of the state's nine regional development agencies.
He stressed the importance of these agencies being able to efficiently utilise their allocations – amounting to RM1.5 billion – for infrastructure and economic development initiatives intended to uplift rural communities.
'It becomes an issue if you (regional development agencies) are not able to do so. Our Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, expects the funds to be disbursed and used as soon as possible,' he said.
'People expect these allocations to be used to fulfill their expectations for better communication and better standard of living.
'If not, they will turn to social media to express their frustrations against the government and the elected representatives,' he added.
Uggah, who is also State Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, made these remarks during the officiation of a Highland Development Agency (HDA) laboratory today, where proposed projects and programmes under the 13th Malaysia Plan were presented.
According to him, the HDA has already channelled RM1 billion of its allocated funds towards various infrastructure and economic development projects.
Uggah, also the HDA chairman, expressed hope that the remaining RM500 million would be fully utilised by the middle of next year.
Highlighting challenges in the Baram region, Uggah pointed out that the area has numerous roads, especially old logging tracks that are in urgent need of maintenance, upgrades, or replacement bridges.
'The situation (there) is complicated. We must find long-term solutions,' he said, adding that he would lead a team from the Public Works Department (JKR) for a two-day site visit to Bario this July.
Touching on the HAD's economic development efforts, Uggah noted that Bario holds strong potentials for agriculture, particularly coffee and passionfruit planting, as well as handicraft production and buffalo rearing.
'I understand there is a large wild buffalo population, though they belong to locals. I suggest the owners consider domesticating them,' he said.
He also mentioned the Meragang buffalo breeding station in Limbang, where cheese production from buffalo milk is being explored as part of agro-based industry initiatives.
Uggah added that Bario's unique local customs and culture could also be harnessed to develop the tourism sector.
Accompanying Uggah were Baram MP Datuk Anyie Ngau, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni. douglas uggah Highland Development Agency road access
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Bus drivers struggle on RM700 basic pay, rely on overtime
KUALA LUMPUR: With a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or sometimes none, bus drivers depend heavily on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off just to cover living expenses. A 34-year-old tour bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mior, said he relied entirely on commissions and the distance travelled, based on his customers' requests. "My basic salary is only RM700 a month. I receive a 15 per cent commission for each bus rental, while the remaining 85 per cent goes to the employer or tour bus owner. "If I take on many long-distance trips, I can earn up to RM3,000 to RM4,000 a month, with only five or six days off. "But if I take on shorter trips, I earn around RM2,000. "Based on last year's records, the fewest days off I had in a month was three," he said when contacted. Mior earns about RM400 for a trip from Parit to Seri Iskandar, Johor. A journey from Seri Iskandar to Kuala Lumpur, including sightseeing with his passengers, brings in about RM1,800. With a 15 per cent commission per rental, he pockets an additional RM60 for the first trip and RM270 for the latter. However, a 29-year-old bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mamat, claimed his company did not provide any basic salary. "For a trip from Manjung to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), I earn about RM50. I can make around RM100 a day for a return trip. "If I have four days off a month, I earn about RM2,600. If I work without any days off, I can make RM3,000," he said, adding that he still needed to apply for leave whenever necessary. He however said some express bus companies provide a basic salary of RM1,700, including travel allowances. Previously, Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said some companies allowed their drivers to work up to 28 days a month due to a shortage of drivers. He said the arrangement was mutually agreed upon by both the company and the drivers for their shared benefit. Zainal also said that bus drivers typically earn a basic salary of RM1,700 and have to rely on travel allowances and overtime to supplement their income.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
4.8 million Sara recipients use MyKad to buy essential items
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4.8 million out of 5.4 million recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid have used their MyKad to purchase basic necessities at registered premises nationwide as of this month. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said Perlis recorded the highest usage rate at 94 per cent, followed by 93 per cent in Sabah and Kedah, while Penang recorded 88 per cent. She said the figures reflect the growing effectiveness of the initiative, supported by various awareness and promotional efforts at both federal and state levels. "The ministry will continue to strengthen awareness campaigns to ensure more people benefit from this government aid, which is aimed at easing their financial burden. "We have also significantly expanded the number of recipients from 700,000 to 5.4 million since April," she told reporters during a Sara outreach programme at a hypermarket here today. At the event, Lim met with 100 Sara recipients in Penang as part of the ministry's effort to engage directly with urban communities. She said to date, 3,700 retail premises have registered under the programme nationwide, enabling recipients to shop closer to home. In Penang alone, 190 such premises are available. Lim added that since May 1, the programme was enhanced by expanding the list of eligible items to 14 categories, including household and personal hygiene products, medicines, and school supplies like uniforms and shoes. The maximum Sara aid for 2025 has been raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200 — a 75 per cent increase, she said. In total, the combined allocation for the Sara and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) programmes has been raised to RM13 billion this year, marking the highest cash aid provision in the country's history. – BERNAMA Nation Feb 8, 2025 @ 12:40am Octogenarian rides pillion 20km to buy essentials after receiving Sara aid Nation Feb 5, 2025 @ 11:41pm Govt expands Sara programme, enhancing access for 700,000 recipients Nation Apr 6, 2025 @ 7:43pm Sara aid a lifeline for families coping with post-Raya expenses Nation Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:07am [EXPLAINER] Sara aid: Direct financial aid through MyKad
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Ramanan fetes 311 top SPM students from Sungai Buloh
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency, in collaboration with Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR), celebrates 311 students who achieved outstanding results in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination on Saturday (June 21). Its MP, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, said the initiative, which involves an allocation of RM143,200, aims to recognise the students' achievements and encourage them to strive for further success. "Today, a total of 311 students with excellent results benefited from YBR's corporate social responsibility programme. This is not a new initiative, but part of an ongoing effort. "In the past, nearly RM500,000 has been channelled to the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency service centre through various programmes, including 'Back to School'. We plan to continue these efforts in the coming years," the Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister told reporters here. The students were from 11 schools across Sungai Buloh. Ten of them scored 11As, 17 scored 10As, 83 scored 9As, 82 scored 8As, and 119 obtained 7As. – Bernama
