BETONG – JKR marks major milestone in Bakong Swamp Road & Debak Alignment Upgrading Project at Betong The Sarawak Public Works Department JKR reached a key step in the implementation of the Bakong Swamp Road and Debak Alignment Upgrading Project with the official handover of land compensation cheques to affected landowners in Betong.
The Land Compensation Cheque Handover Ceremony, held on Tuesday morning saw the attendance of Yang Berhormat Datuk Ricky @ Haji Mohammad Razi bin Sitam, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Wellbeing Development, Sarawak. The event was in continuation of the state government’s initiative to make infrastructure development a transparent and level playing field.
The road upgrading is undertaken by JKR Sarawak Betong Division, and it requires close cooperation with the Land and Survey Department of the Betong Division. Registration and compensation transfers with 85 recipients were registered, finalizing the land compensation transactions for project phase under progress.
The timely disposition of land compensation is vital for project progress as well as for the protection of rights and interests of those who own affected lands, officials said. It also shows the state’s intent as far as responsible development is concerned, specially in rural and semi rural areas.
Phase 1 of the Bakong Swamp Road and Debak Alignment Upgrading Project involves about six kilometres of road widening. The newly-built road is to have a width of 5.5 meters and the project covers construction of drainage and slope protection facilities underpinning the durability and safety of road upgrading works.
As per JKR, the physical progress of the project in totality is at 60.23 per cent that remains ahead of its original schedule. As of now, the project is scheduled to be wrapped up by April 2026, provided that weather remains conducive, and the work continues as planned.
The improved road should have a huge positive impact on locals and the general community and help link Debak and its hinterland. Improved road access is expected to promote daily travel, economic activity and greater access education, health care and emergency services.
The event was also attended by a number of senior government officials comprising Divisional Engineer Mr Jason Ng Boon Tuan and Land and Survey Superintendent TPr. Moris anak Nayup. Also in attendance were representatives from the Betong Residents Office and the Betong District Office as an indication of inter-agency cooperation at this level.
Local leaders said projects like this were crucial for bringing economic opportunities and economic development to the rural areas, adding that there should be fair distribution of development in Sarawak. Fairly handling the compensation procedure is viewed as a crucial aspect of upholding public trust in government projects.
JKR Sarawak added that it will be closely monitoring the project implementation to ensure construction standards and safety requirement compliance, and adherence to scheduled timelines. Further collaboration with local parties is planned for the construction period.
The Bakong Swamp Road and Debak Alignment Upgrading Project is part of the larger pan-Sarawak infrastructure development project to improve road connectivity and quality of life for all Sarawakians.
