Gedong to benefit from planned dual-carriageway network

GEDONG: A proposed dual-carriageway network linking Serian, Samarahan and Sebuyau is expected to improve connectivity and open up new areas for development in the district.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed route would run from Kampung Munggu Kupi in Serian to Gedong, continue to Samarahan and extend towards Sebuyau and northern Sarawak.

“Gedong will be in the middle of the major road network that we are developing, and this will open up new areas,” he said.

Abang Johari was speaking at the launch of the ‘Gerak Mula Program Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung – Berambeh di Gedong’ at Dewan Datuk Patinggi Ali here today (Oct 18).

He said the development is part of a more structured and coordinated plan to strengthen Gedong’s growth while narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas.

He said better road connectivity would also give local producers improved access to markets for their agricultural produce, helping communities benefit from the wider economic development taking place in the Samarahan-Simunjan corridor.

Abang Johari described the development as an integrated approach that brings together different areas on a larger scale while ensuring rural communities also benefit.

He urged villagers to keep pace with the planned development by embracing improvements in education, technology and economic activities.

On education, he said the state government is taking steps to develop new schools in Gedong and Saging to ensure children has access to quality education and current knowledge, despite constraints in federal funding.

He stressed that the priority is to ensure children received the education and skills needed to prepare them for the future.

Abang Johari also highlighted the potential of new agricultural technology, including self-regenerating rice varieties that can regrow after harvesting, reducing the need for replanting.

He said such technology could be introduced in Gedong to support rice production, including local varieties such as ‘beras biris’.

He said these changes are part of the wider transformation needed to ensure rural communities could benefit from infrastructure development, modern agriculture and improved economic opportunities.