Famous Lapok Highway.

Scene during bad times - rainy days

Thats why Buffaloes are alternatives here.

These are the road users. Lorries ...

During good times- dry seasons.

The infamous Lapok Road, Tinjar.

First of all, i am not a good writer and historian. Forgive me for that.

Built by the government in the 1980’s during the late Datuk Luhat Wan was the member Of Parliament. His vision was to have good road to Long Lama. Good road means road surface totally tar sealed. He wanted to bring the good standard of road in West Malaysia to Baram which was under his constituency in the National Coalition Government – Barisan Nasional. When he was defeated by my close opposition friend Mr Harrison in early 1990’s who was named a giant killer. The former candidate lost because he was so arrogant. He always critised the NGO’s activity particularly SAM ( Sahabat Alam Malaysia) which was championed in this area by Harrison. While the land issues was hot, that’s the boiling pot for him. People just don’t like him anymore. Didn’t matter much to the people at that time even under independent representative. The road remain the same for the next 5 years.

In next election, Mr Jacob Dungau defeated Mr Harrison in late 1990’s. Jacob was high ranking agricultural officer in Sarawak before he joined politic. In early 2000’s Jacob won the parliament seat again. That’s th etime the people of Baram curse the Lapok road and even spell bad name to Jacob the elected representative in the federal government. Mr Jacob did mentioned lot of “whys” the road state remain as status quo.

E.g he said while under Harrison, there was no proposal because he was not in the government. He also said the number of users were not economically enough to construct the road. The government need more people that can use the road. Also mentioned that there were lots of opposition along the road.

Then came the Datuk Sammy Velu, a federal minister incharge of infrastructure at that time in Miri. He also promised he will take it up to the Parliament within the next 3 days. Everybody was damn hopeful. News echoed came in. Oohh..its not in the current Malaysian plan, it was not this and not that until he lost his valuable MP seat. Efforts were then increased to get this road done. There was a promised of 50 million rgt. Mr Dato’ Jacob then mentioned that this road is now under SCORE( Sarawak Corridor Of Renewable Energy). Then news echoes came in ohhh..RM50 million now approved, Tendering is in progress.
Late last year the next news said its RM150 million approved by the NEP. Early this year the same news was delivered by the JKR chief in the region. He said that the tender will be up in March 2009.

I guess everybody now know that this may be another hoax again which was delivered way back by all politicians. However, there a couple of believers in this “hoax”.
To me, I just wish good luck to the road users. If no car can be used , use buffaloes or horses for the 30 km ride on the road.

If this LAPOK road cannot be built properly( tar seal ), just forget the agenda by the fellow Kelabits people from BARIO to have the Miri to Bario road which pass the LAPOK road. If the “yes” road should reached Bario, this LAPOK road should have been 6 lanes traffic road already. Which is true ? Miri to Bario road will be upgraded to standard road or Lapok road to be the priority. I pay over RM30,000 of annual tax annually. On top of that, I repair my 4x4 car 4 to 6 times a year. Replacing the absorbers, worn out tyres, replace mechanical joints, cross bar, broken bolts etc. That’s another RM5,000 at least.