By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 23: The newly completed Bintulu–Jepak Bridge, which spans the Kuala Kemena River, has been officially named Jambatan Tun Taib Mahmud (Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge) in honour of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak’s longest-serving Chief Minister and former Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Announcing the naming during the launching ceremony of the Bintulu–Jepak Bridge in Bintulu tonight (July 23), Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the gesture honours a leader whose visionary policies laid the foundation for Sarawak’s modernisation and industrial growth.
“I am merely continuing the legacy of the late Tun Taib. If he were still alive, I believe he would be amazed by the bridge we are inaugurating tonight,” said Abang Johari, noting that the late leader played a pivotal role in driving transformative development through the establishment of the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) and spearheading industrial growth in Samalaju.
Built at a cost of RM466.7 million and opened to traffic in March 2025, the 1.2-kilometre bridge features a four-lane dual carriageway and a 494.2-metre cable-stayed section with a main span of 267.6 metres.
Jambatan Tun Taib Mahmud is now the third-longest bridge in Sarawak, following the 2.3km Jambatan Muara Lassa and the 4.3km Jambatan Batang Lupar.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Minister in the Premier’s Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; heads of departments; and other invited guests. — DayakDaily
