Miri: The Sarawak government will take over all former logging roads connecting longhouses and villages in the state for them to be gazetted as public roads without any charges, announced Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a special task force under Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the state's Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, has been established to coordinate the takeover process. The task force is tasked with ensuring that these routes are upgraded to facilitate better connectivity for rural residents.
"All the logging roads connecting the longhouses and villages will be turned into public roads without charges," Abang Johari stated during the launch of the Miri-Marudi-Mulu-Long Panai-Long Lama (3M2L) Road Project in Marudi. The initiative aims to resolve access issues for residents who previously relied on unsafe former logging roads, requiring permission from logging concessionaires.
The Premier emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, "It is easier for the people now because (the former logging roads) will become a spur (secondary) road leading to the main road. By 2030, we want this matter sorted and for the roads to be used by the people."
Abang Johari also discussed the new road engineering method being implemented for the 3M2L Project, which incorporates modern technology in challenging areas. This includes the use of elevated roads, allowing construction on peat soil without disrupting soil conditions and terrain.
"We have done this up north, in Limbang and Lawas, and we are also using this approach in the 3M2L area," he noted, explaining the application of elevated road technology in strategic areas that require resilient construction methods suitable for local geographical conditions.
He further elaborated on the use of Highway Information Modelling (HIM) technology, which simulates road designs in computers before physical construction. This approach assesses wind, rain, and topography more accurately to ensure structural durability. "This is the technology we are using because we will be moving towards being a state using technology," Abang Johari added.