By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 27: Sarawak is on track to complete and open a record 12 bridge projects for public use by the end of this year, marking what Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah describes as a ‘bountiful harvest’ of infrastructure achievements for the State.
According to a press release, Uggah said at the soft opening of the 1.4-kilometre Batang Rajang Bridge in Sarikei today that eight more bridges are expected to be completed by the end of the year, adding to the four already finished — including the iconic Bintulu-Jepak Bridge, Muara Lassa, Marudi, and now Batang Rajang.
The Batang Rajang Bridge, part of a RM321 million project that includes a 17-kilometre road linking Pasi, Tanjung Manis, and Sibu, is set to halve travel time between Tanjung Manis and Sibu from two and a half hours to just one hour.
Uggah also assured the public that bridges not yet officially launched would remain open and accessible.
“They will remain open for the people’s use,” he said, dismissing rumours to the contrary.
The eight bridges slated for completion this year include Batang Lupar 1 – touted as the country’s longest bridge over a river – as well as Batang Saribas 1, Batang Limbang, Batang Lingga, Batang Igan, Batang Sebauh, the Sungai Paku Bridge in Spaoh, and Sejingkat in Kuching.
With 12 bridges expected to be completed in 2025, Uggah quipped that Sarawak might even qualify for a spot in the Guinness World Records.
Looking ahead to 2026, he revealed that another four bridges – Batang Paloh, Batang Krian, Batang Lupar 2, and Batang Saribas 2 – are scheduled for completion.
“Altogether, we have a total of 16 bridges either completed or under active construction,” he said.
He emphasised that all the projects are fully funded by the Sarawak government.
“We must thank and congratulate our Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for all these accomplishments,” Uggah added.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Federal Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidil Lariwoo, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris. — DayakDaily
