Jalan Lapok masih teruk walaupun sudah dinaiktaraf
BARAM - Menurut laporan sebuah akhbar tempatan baru-baru ini lebih daripada 6,000 anggota masyarakat Orang Ulu dari lebih 350 rumah panjang di Tinjar, Baram pasti akan menikmati jalan yang baik apabila jalanraya yang bernilai RM101 juta sepanjang 35.7 kilometer siap pada tahun 2013 dalam kawasan tersebut.

Keratan akhbar “The Borneo Post” bertarikh 10hb Januari 2009 dengan tajuk “RM150 million allocated for Lapok road: Lihan” juga di rujuk.

Jalan Lapok dari Beluru Bakong ke Tinjar yang dinaiktaraf telah digunakan sejak tahun lapan puluhan lagi.
Keadaan jalan ini masih tidak banyak berubah dan masih dalam keadaan teruk seperti beberapa tahun yang lalu. Inilah satu-satunya cara perhubungan dan pengangkutan darat untuk masyarakat di ulu Baram ke
bandar-bandar di Sarawak.

Sudah bertahun-tahun keadaan jalan ini berlumpur, banyak lubang sebesar periuk dan mudah ditenggelami air semasa musim hujan.  Jalanraya rosak akibat kenderaan berat yang berulang-alik membawa barang muatan yang melebihi had yang dibenarkan.

Laporan Ketua Audit Negara yang dikeluarkan baru-baru ini di parlimen mendapati projek membina dan menaik taraf jalan luar bandar di negeri Sarawak bermasalah malahan terdapat juga projek yang disifatkan sebagai “projek sakit” dan perlu diberikan perhatian.

Laporan itu juga mendapati projek pembinaan jalan yang telah siap tidak mengikut spesifikasi kontrak dan kualiti pembinaan jalan, keselamatan dan keselesaan jalan tidak memuaskan pengguna jalan raya hasil daripada maklum balas yang diperoleh dari orang ramai.

Menurut laporan tersebut lagi “Kebanyakkan projek yang tidak mengikut piawaian tersebut telah menimbulkan pelbagai masalah seperti jalan terlalu berbukit, turapan bitumen nipis, jalan tidak rata, jalan cepat rosak dan berlubang.”

Sejak dua tahun kebelakangan ini, jalanraya ini telah menjalani kerja-kerja naik taraf yang dilakukan oleh beberapa kontraktor. Walaupun terdapat juga sebahagian jalanraya tersebut sudah dibaikpulih tetapi masih banyak lagi yang masih dalam keadaan yang tidak sesuai untuk pengguna jalanraya. Terdapat banyak jalan yang sempit dengan selekoh tajam dan laluan lorong kecil di sepanjang jalan dimana ianya licin, beralun, curam, banjir dan lubang periuk besar.

Walau bagaimanapun, perkembangannya agak perlahan dengan banyak halangan yang lain datang / timbul di sepanjang jalan dimana ianya sangat berbahaya kepada pengguna jalanraya sekiranya mereka tidak berhati-hati.

Penduduk Harap Kerajaan Menepati Janji
Menurut penduduk Baram yang tinggal di ulu Baram, mereka amat menghargai usaha yang dibuat oleh pihak kerajaan untuk menaik taraf jalan tersebut tetapi mereka mahu jalan tersebut siap secepat mungkin dan ini akan mempercepatkan perjalanan mereka yang memakan masa berjam-jam untuk sampai ke bandaraya Miri umpamanya.

Mereka mahu jalanraya tersebut siap secepat mungkin tanpa ada halangan-halangan baru yang diwujudkan, mereka mahu halangan tersebut dapat dikurangkan jika boleh atau perlu dihapuskan segera. Mereka sudah terlalu lama menderita akibat menggunakan jalan yang teruk selama ini. Janji mesti ditepati.

Kita mengesa agar pihak berkuasa dan mereka yang berkenaan segera membina dan memperbaiki jalanraya tersebut untuk kemudahan penduduk Baram. Kerjasama dengan pihak yang berkenaan sangat dihargai.

Jofri Jaraiee
PAS Miri, Sarawak

English version

Lapok road is still bad despite upgraded
BARAM - According to a report in a local newspaper recently more than 6,000 community members from over 350 Orang Ulu longhouses in Tinjar, Baram will surely enjoy a good road  when the road which worth RM101 million over the 35.7 kilometer completed in 2013 in the area.

Newspaper clipping "The Borneo Post" dated 10th January 2009 with the title " RM150 million allocated for Lapok road: Lihan” also referred.

Lapok road from Beluru Bakong to Tinjar which upgraded has been used since the eighties. The road condition is still not much changed and is still in bad shape just like the past several years. This is the only means of communication and land transportation for the community in Ulu Baram to the towns in the state.

Baram residents complained to us, they said it has been many years this road is in a muddy condition, many holes as big as the pot and easily flooded during the rainy season.  Roads damaged by heavy vehicles that commute daily bring the cargos which exceed the limit.

Auditor General's report released recently in parliament found that a project to build and upgrade rural roads in Sarawak problematic but there are also projects described as "sick projects" and should be given attention.

The report also found that road construction projects which has been completed is not in accordance with the contract specifications and the quality of road construction, road safety and comfort of road users is not satisfactory as a result of the feedback from the public.

According to another report "Most projects that is not in accordance with standards has created various problems such as roads is too hilly, thin pavement bitumen, uneven roads, the road is perishable and potholes.”

Over the past two years, the road has undergone upgrading works done by some contractors. Although there are also some of the road was repaired but still many more that are still in unfavorable conditions for road users. There are many narrow roads with a sharp bend and small laneways along the way where it is slippery, bumpy, steep, flooding and large pot holes.

However, progress was slow and too many other obstacles come / arise along the way where it is very dangerous to road users if they are not careful.

The population hope the BN Government compliance to promises
According to residents of Baram which live in Ulu of Baram, they greatly appreciate the efforts made by the government to upgrade the road, but they want the road to be completed as soon as possible and this will accelerate their journey which takes many hours to get to the Miri city, for example.

They want the road to be completed as soon as possible with no new barriers which created, they want the obstruction can be reduced if possible or should be eliminated immediately. They have too long suffered using a bad road all this while. Promises must be fulfilled.

We urge that the authorities and those concerned quickly build and improve the roads for convenience of the residents of Baram without having to wait too long to complete. Cooperation with the parties concerned is highly appreciated.