SARIKEI – The Sarawak government is intensifying efforts to enhance rural infrastructure in Sarikei, with a focus on improving roads, drainage systems, and other essential facilities to uplift the quality of life for residents.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, who also serves as Member of Parliament and State Assemblyman for Sarikei, said the initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that rural communities enjoy the same level of development as urban areas.
He stressed that reliable infrastructure is vital for both daily convenience and long-term socio-economic growth.
“The Sarawak Government always pays attention to the needs of the people, especially in the provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure such as roads, drains and drainage systems,” he said during a site inspection at Jalan Hua Sing and Rumah Mawan Wass, Jalan Hung Nong, Jakar, on Tuesday.
According to him, the upgrading of roads in the Jakar area has already brought tangible benefits to residents, particularly those who rely on the routes for schooling, work, agriculture, and small-scale business activities.
Improved connectivity, he added, directly supports the local economy by reducing travel time and facilitating the movement of goods.
Dato Sri Huang also highlighted the importance of ground assessments, noting that site visits allow officials to better understand the challenges faced by residents.
“Every view, complaint and suggestion from the community will be taken into account in future development planning to strengthen the balanced development agenda in the Sarikei parliamentary and state constituencies,” he explained.
Recent state initiatives under the 2025 People-Friendly Project have further accelerated rural upgrades in Sarikei. These include road resurfacing, pedestrian platforms, and longhouse courtyard improvements across nine key locations, such as Arak Sulai Jalan, Sing Ling Jalan in Sungai Meramat, and Ulu Meradong Road in Bakong. Villages like Kampung Darul Falah and Sungai Gemuan are also set to benefit from new pedestrian facilities and improved access routes.
In addition, the Program Rumah Mesra Rakyat (PMR) 2025 has been rolled out in parts of Meradong, providing longhouses with concrete flooring and safer road access.
Among the beneficiaries are Rumah Panjang Kam Gaing at Sungai Mador and Rumah Panjang Musa at Jalan Chai Hing, where new infrastructure is expected to ease mobility and improve living standards.
Sarikei has also seen progress through larger-scale projects, including the Batang Rajang Bridge, a 1.4-kilometre structure costing RM321 million.
The bridge has significantly improved connectivity across the Rajang River, boosting trade and social interaction for communities in the constituency.
Dato Sri Huang reiterated that the government’s long-term vision is to ensure every village and longhouse in Sarikei has access to reliable infrastructure.
He said such projects not only improve living conditions but also create opportunities for rural residents to participate more actively in the state’s economic development.
With multiple projects underway, Sarikei is steadily transforming into one of Sarawak’s more progressive regions, balancing modernisation with the needs of its rural communities.
