The damaged section of Miri Airport Road leading to Taman Delight.
MIRI (June 25): Federal funding is being sought for comprehensive repairs to a damaged section of Miri Airport Road leading to Taman Delight, amid growing concerns over soil erosion and deteriorating road conditions that pose safety risks to motorists.
In a joint statement, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the affected stretch has experienced continuous soil erosion beneath and along the roadside, compromising culvert structures and the drainage system.
They warned that if left unresolved, the damage could endanger motorists, nearby residents and the public who rely on the road, one of the main routes linking Miri International Airport with the city centre.
They stressed that the issue extends beyond surface damage, involving underground drainage infrastructure, culverts, slope stability, soil erosion, and utility installations.
Based on a technical assessment by the Public Works Department (JKR), the proposed works will include culvert reconstruction, slope protection, earthworks, road resurfacing and other safety measures.
According to the statement, one of the key challenges delaying long-term maintenance is the status of the land, as the affected section is situated within the Miri Airport area on land under the Federal Lands Commissioner.
Although the road should, in principle, have been handed over to the relevant local authority or the Sarawak government for maintenance, the transfer process has yet to be completed, resulting in uncertainty over maintenance responsibilities.
Despite this, both federal and state agencies involved have expressed their commitment to cooperate in implementing the repair works, recognising the urgency of addressing the issue.
Following discussions with the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, Miri Zone, Chiew and Lukanisman said they would seek federal government funding to finance a permanent solution.
“This is not intended to be a temporary fix or patchwork repair. It is a comprehensive rehabilitation effort involving culvert repairs, slope stabilisation, drainage improvements and measures to minimise the risk of similar erosion recurring in the future,” they said.
JKR Miri Division has been appointed as the implementing agency, with the project expected to be carried out in phases.
The first phase will involve the temporary relocation or protection of utility infrastructure, including electricity lines, telecommunications facilities and water pipelines belonging to Sarawak Energy Berhad, Telekom Malaysia, and Sarawak Water.
They said quotations would be obtained from the respective utility providers for the relocation works, while appeals would also be made for the companies to consider absorbing or waiving the costs in view of the project’s importance to public safety.
The second phase will involve physical construction works, including culvert reconstruction, slope protection, drainage upgrading and road restoration.
Chiew and Lukanisman said they would continue working closely with the ICU, JKR, Miri City Council, the Federal Lands Commissioner, Malaysia Airports, and the relevant utility providers to expedite the project.
They also appealed to the public for patience, noting that procedures involving utility infrastructure, land ownership and technical safety requirements must be completed before construction can commence.
They added that they would continue pursuing the transfer of the affected road section from the Federal Lands Commissioner to the Sarawak government or the appropriate local authority to ensure clearer maintenance responsibilities and more efficient long-term upkeep.
They reiterated that Miri Airport Road is a vital transport link serving residents in both the Miri and Sibuti, and pledged to work with all relevant agencies to ensure the repairs are carried out as soon as possible while securing a sustainable long-term solution for public safety.
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