Datuk Rubiah Wang
MIRI (July 29): The federal government, through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), has approved two projects worth RM414 million to upgrade former logging roads in Sarawak under the rural roads programme.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the projects, approved in 2024, comprise the RM231 million upgrading of the former logging road from Lapok to Long Aya’ (Phase 1: Lapok-Long Teran) in Baram and the RM183 million upgrading of the former logging road from Nanga Meluan to Nanga Maung in the Sarikei Division.
“The implementing agency for both projects is the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR),” she said when replying to Senator Abun Sui Anyit during question time in the Dewan Negara yesterday.
Abun had asked the ministry to state the allocation approved by the Madani Government to upgrade rural logging roads in Sarawak, particularly in Belaga, Hulu Rajang and Baram, under the rural road programme, including the locations, implementation status and projects completed as of June 2026.
Rubiah said the Baram project is currently at the first-stage pre-qualification open tender process.
She said the tender closed on May 19 and is now undergoing the first-stage evaluation by JKR Sarawak.
“Meanwhile, the upgrading of the former logging road from Nanga Meluan to Nanga Maung is at the second stage of the pre-qualification open tender.
“The invitation for tender was issued on June 27, 2026, and will close on Sept 15, 2026,” she said.
Responding to Abun’s supplementary question on whether the ministry would consider a strategic collaboration or co-funding mechanism with the Sarawak government to accelerate the upgrading of logging roads into paved roads, Rubiah said KKDW does not undertake upgrading works on active logging roads as they remain under the jurisdiction of concession holders and the Sarawak government.
She said the federal and state governments already have an established mechanism whereby active and inactive logging roads are maintained by the Sarawak government to ensure continued accessibility for rural communities.
“For logging roads that are no longer in use, they may be considered for upgrading to JKR standards under the rural road programme based on priorities submitted by the Sarawak government.
“Once completed, the roads will be gazetted as state roads, with maintenance funded through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) allocation channelled by the federal government via the Sarawak government,” she said.
Rubiah said the existing arrangement already functions as a collaboration between the federal and state governments, with the federal government financing the upgrading works through the rural roads programme, while the Sarawak government determines project priorities and assumes responsibility for maintenance after the roads are registered as state roads using MARRIS funds.
She revealed that since the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), KKDW has approved 23 former logging road upgrading projects throughout Sarawak involving a total allocation of RM1.525 billion, resulting in the upgrading of approximately 545 kilometres of former logging roads.
“As such, there is currently no proposal for a new co-funding mechanism. KKDW will continue to consider project applications submitted by the Sarawak government based on priority needs and the federal government’s financial capacity,” she said.
The post RM414 mln approved to upgrade former logging roads in Sarawak appeared first on Borneo Post Online.