Uggah: Premier Authorises Divisional JKR to Manage Projects in their Respective Areas

(From right) Tie, Song, Penguang, Goh, Uggah, Lee, Rosey, Lee Thin Hin and Yii in a photo call during the the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations Chinese New Year (CNY) Dinner at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC) last night.

MIRI (Feb 5): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has decided to authorise the divisional Public Works Department (JKR) to manage all the projects in their respective divisions, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who is the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said the Sarawak government has restructured the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) after receiving feedbacks from the elected representatives (YBs).

“Previously, we had regional office and divisional office. Most of the big works were done by the regional office. The YBs were not satisfied because of many issues such as damaged roads and collapsed roads.

“To deal with the problem, the premier has decided to authorise the divisional JKR to manage all departmental projects at the divisional level,” he said.

Uggah said this when representing Abang Johari to officiate at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations Chinese New Year (CNY) Dinner at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC) last night.

Uggah said through the restructuring, he believed that the Sarawak JKR will be able to provide a better service to the people.

“If we look at the social media, many know (how) to blame us but no one appreciates the good work that has been done,” he added.

Earlier, state Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, in his speech, emphasised on the urgent need to upgrade three roads in Miri to dual-carriageways due to serious traffic congestion at these roads, especially during peak hours.

Lee said the roads that need to be upgraded are the Pan Borneo Pujut bypass traffic light to the Pujut Corner roundabout, Padang Kerbau road to the Miri Hospital junction traffic light and Jalan Cahaya.

Uggah, in his response, said JKR will propose the project under this year’s mid-term review.

Meanwhile, Uggah said the state government will try its best to resolve the problem faced by Miri Port, as port is the is the artery of the economic development.

He also assured everyone that all efforts are being made to ensure that the dream for Miri Port will become a reality.

He said under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), his ministry has been tasked to come out with a masterplan to improve the efficiency of the ports in Sarawak.