KUCHING: The Infrastructure Development and Transportation Ministry is in favour of the proposal to upgrade the Long Lupeng-Ba Kelalan Road at an estimated cost of RM36 million.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, a timber company operating in the Ulu Trusan and Limbang areas has suggested upgrading the 80km stretch into a standard R1 Category road.

“The cost proposed is RM36 million. I’m in favour of it and the state government will try to find the money to finance the upgrading of this road,” Masing – also the Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister – said yesterday, adding that there are more than 20 Orang Ulu settlements between Long Lupeng and Ba Kelalan, as well as schools, clinics and other government agencies.

“I think it is worthwhile to invest RM36 million for a 80km rural mountain road. The timber company can build it at such a reasonable cost because they already have all the machinery in place, considering that they are the main concessionaire in the area.

“They have promised that after the road is upgraded, logging trucks would not be allowed on it to ensure that the road would not be damaged. They (timber company) have also agreed to maintain the road as part of their social corporate responsibility after the upgrading has been completed,” he said.

A R1 standard road is a gravel road, but is safe and drivable. Having one linking Long Lupeng and Ba Kelalan would cut journey time from the present eight to 12 hours to about three hours.

The whole journey from Lawas to Ba Kelalan spans about 150km. At present, the stretch between Lawas and Long Lupeng, about 70km, is also a R1 road. There has been no complaint about this road; the complaints have been about the 80km Long Lupeng-Ba Kelalan stretch – dubbed as the ‘Buffalo Trail’ due to its dire condition, which is in need of attention in view of the 3,000 people living between Long Lupeng and Ba Kelalan.

According to locals, the road was in a better condition than it was before the upgrading works under the Jiwa Murni programme three years ago. However, it suffered damage due to frequent usage by heavy logging trucks.

The villagers complained that it would take them an entire day to make their journey; the drivers had to form convoys and bring along food and drinks in case their vehicles got stuck along the muddy and treacherous terrain.

“It is the responsibility of the government to provide road connectivity and we will do it.  There is no dam in Ba Kelalan, but the government will be urgently seeking funds for the (Long Lupeng-Bakelalan) road to be upgraded,” assured Masing.