SIBU – A RM3.61 million infrastructure project has been launched to upgrade Jalan Ling Kai Cheng, a key northern route in Sibu frequently disrupted by flash floods. The initiative is expected to enhance road safety and ease traffic congestion, with completion targeted for January 17, 2026.
Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, and Pelawan assemblyman Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, announced that work officially began on September 18, 2025, with a construction timeline of four months.
He explained that the funding was secured through combined allocations, including RM2.5 million from the Sarawak Premier’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund and RM1.11 million under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), raising the total budget to RM3.61 million.
“I promised in February that this road would be upgraded. Despite the procedural requirements, we have finally managed to begin work today. I also want to thank the Premier of Sarawak for the additional allocation that made this possible,” Tiang told reporters during the project handover ceremony.
The works will involve elevating the road by an average of 750 millimetres across a one-kilometre stretch from the Jalan Deshon junction to the nearby bridge. The project design incorporates an improved drainage system to ensure floodwaters are redirected effectively without affecting nearby residential areas.
To minimise disruption, the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will assign traffic wardens during the construction phase to maintain smooth traffic flow.
The Jalan Ling Kai Cheng upgrade is part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to strengthen flood resilience in vulnerable urban areas, ensuring communities and businesses face fewer disruptions from seasonal downpours.
