KUCHING: The federal government has agreed to repair the Jiwa Murni and logging roads in the state and targets to complete the works by this Christmas, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the works will be funded by his ministry.

He pointed out priority will be given to roads which are no longer used by heavy vehicles, while those that are still actively being used by heavy vehicles will be given second priority.

“It has to be done before Christmas or December 25 not just because of the celebrations but also due to the monsoon season (around that period),” he said after chairing the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s (KKDW) Coordination Meeting with the Sarawak government at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.

To a question, he said the roads involved total approximately 578 kilometres.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who was also present, said these roads are mainly in Miri, Limbang and Belaga.

Jiwa Murni road projects were previously undertaken by the Defence Ministry to provide connectivity to rural and interior areas.

Ahmad Zahid said the roads which were built before have been damaged by heavy vehicles used in the timber industry.

“We will give priority to roads that are no longer used by heavy logging vehicles, which are important to be upgraded as main roads to access rural and interior areas,” he added.

When asked about how the roads will be upgraded, he said they will adopt approach by the state government who has a solution to improve or upgrade the roads.

“Especially for the Jiwa Murni roads, the logging roads and also the rural road projects that are already in the pipeline that have to be implemented.

“That’s why our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given approval for any approved projects worth RM50 million or less, the implementation can be entirely done by the state government,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid also said the repair of Jiwa Murni and logging roads were among 10 points that were agreed during the coordination meeting, which was the first to be held this year.

According to him, those at the meeting have given their commitment that whatever projects that have been planned will definitely be implemented.

“We are determined that the implementation of what we have agreed will be monitored by the technical authority represented by the KKDW and also the state government through two or ministries. This is to allow us to follow up on its implementation.

“There are several projects that have been planned for a long time and their implementation cannot be done because coordination needs to be held,” he said

He also said if there is an element of cost increase in the implementation of the projects, they will hold a discussion with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance.

“However, the guidelines of all these projects will be followed and we will apply for some special approvals due to the increase in the cost of construction materials and also the matter of transporting those materials in remote areas,” he said.