The state constituency of Layar, which has been represented by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang for the past 44 years, is one of the most neglected constituencies in Sarawak, says PKR.

This is especially so in terms of road infrastructure development, Betong PKR division head Vernon Aji Kedit said today.

“The road conditions in the Layar constituency are shocking, deplorable and unacceptable, and these are some of the major problems faced by about 4,500 people living in more than 50 longhouses.

“These people have no tarred access roads despite repeated promises by Jabu ( right ) since he became the elected representative for Layar in 1974.

“Tarred feeder roads linked to the Pan-Borneo Highway are only are, on average three to five kilometres inwards.

“These roads end in the middle of the jungle and dirt tracks continue further inwards,” Vernon told a press conference.

Jabu has often accused the opposition of having no eyes to see the development taking place in his constituency.

Said Vernon: “If you go into the interior areas of the Layar constituency, there is practically no development.

'Just a cosmetic camouflage'

“So is this tarring of a short few kilometres of feeder roads just a cosmetic camouflage to blind the eyes of the public from the truth?”

Vernon, who is Sarawak PKR information chief, said that if the constituency represented by Jabu has not seen much development, conditions would be much worse in constituencies not represented by ministers or assistant ministers.

He said PKR wants the authorities to urgently review their policies and development plans to build not just roads, but tarred roads in the Betong Division.

“It has come to a point where the residents living in the affected longhouses are fed up with the broken promises made to them over the past 44 years that they would receive equal development as  those in the urban areas.

“They have been hoodwinked by the BN government despite these constituencies being  the BN's fixed deposits,” Vernon added.