BY AINI SELIKANG
SARIKEI: The days when the rural constituency of Pakan here is left behind in terms of its development are over, assured Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Pakan town would be extended under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), making it a new township in Sarikei Division. He said the third phase of Jalan Pakan would include the development of residential areas, shops and leisure centres.
“I have asked the Land and Survey Department through its Planning Unit to come up with a master plan and we will develop it under the 12MP,” he said.
Abang Johari said the initiative would not only benefit the locals but would also boost Pakan’s potential as a producer of agricultural products.
“The people of Pakan will enjoy a modern road network when Jalan Ulu Kota – Pakan (Phase Two) is fully completed. This proves that the government does not simply talk.
“Therefore, we agree to connect this road to Pakan with Bukit Sadok and Betong,” he said when officiating at the launch of Jalan Pakan Ulu Kota Phase Two here on Thursday.
Jalan Pakan-Ulu Kota, Pakan is divided into two phases. The first phase involves the construction of a 13.3 km main road with JKR R3 standard costing RM63.7 million.
Apart from the construction of the main road, the project also includes the construction of a 0.37km spur road, 38 reinforced concrete (RC) sewers, and a bridge crossing the Ulu Julau River to Pakan Wuak.
The second phase of the project costing RM122.5 million involves the construction of a 15.4km main road with JKR R3 REAM Standard.