The Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, conducted a direct inspection of the completed reconstruction of the Asa–Juaq Asa Main Road located in Barong Tongkok District, West Kutai Regency, on Saturday (4/7/2026). This strategic project is considered a crucial step by the government in supporting resident mobility while providing more adequate access to healthcare for the local community.
During a dialogue with the Head of Asa Village, Imansyah, it was revealed that the road infrastructure improvement has brought tangible changes in how residents seek medical care. The now smooth and safe access allows community members to opt for childbirth in hospitals, leaving behind concerns over transport obstacles that previously often hindered medical access.
The reconstruction project, spanning 2.032 kilometers with a width of five meters, was realized thanks to Financial Assistance from the East Kalimantan Provincial Government for Fiscal Year 2025 with a budget allocation of IDR 6.8 billion. The construction utilizes 20-centimeter-thick rigid concrete specifications to ensure long-term durability of the road.
Furthermore, Rudy Mas’ud emphasized that this infrastructure development also acts as a catalyst for strengthening the regional economy. Given that the Asa and Juaq Asa areas are hubs for rubber farmers with potential for developing coffee and cocoa commodities, the road improvement is projected to cut distribution costs of agricultural produce to broader markets.
Rudy hopes that regional fiscal sustainability can be maintained, allowing infrastructure development programs in West Kutai to continue reaching other remote areas. The inspection visit was also attended by officials from the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and the West Kutai Regency Government to ensure equitable development is directly felt by local residents.
