SORUCE: The Borneo Post, 5 April 2012 (Thursday)

KUCHING: A sum of RM9 million has been allocated to blast the seven boulders in the Pelagus Rapids, said Infrastructure Development and Communciations Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong here yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference after chairing the first board meeting of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) for 2012 here, he siad the project, which has been awarded to Kuching-based Putra Sentosa Enterprise, would take about nine months to complete, and that work would commence soon.

He explained that as the state had no experience in undertaking such a task, experts from outside the state would be engaged to blast the boulders.

"This (the blasting project) was initiated by my Ministry last year, and the Cabinet has approved it.  We hope accidents can be reduced after the blasting."

"The river will not be closed.  The rocks will be blasted when there is no traffic."

Manyin stressed that the project was essential as residents living near the rapids would still be using the river as their main mode of transport even if the government has built a road.

According to SRB chief executive officer William Jinep, the rapids were about 1km long.

On the numbers of residents that would be benefited from the project, he said they did not have the statistics, but pointed out that it would benefit "about 20 longhouses located after the rapids to Belaga town and a lot more longhouses after Belaga town".

Besides SRB, other agencies involved are Sarawak Natural Resources and Environmental Board, Public Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department.

A miring ceremony as performed by Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr. James Jemut Masing on March 30 at the rapids to seek divine blessings for the smooth implementation of the project.

Also present at the press conference were SRB Chairman and Tarat assemblyman Roland Sagah Wee Inn and SRB board member and Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan.