By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, April 5: A new road connecting Marudi to Mulu, expected to be completed within two years, will cut travel time to just one and a half hours — a game-changing development aimed at strengthening tourism and economic growth in northern Sarawak.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the Sarawak government is committed to building the road network from Marudi to Long Terawan and on to Mulu, following the completion of the Marudi Bridge.
“This road will provide faster and more direct access to Mulu, home to one of Sarawak’s two Unesco World Heritage sites and open up greater opportunities for tourism while improving the livelihoods of communities along the route,” he said when addressing the Hari Raya celebration with leaders organised by the Miri Malay Association at the Indoor Stadium today.
He added that the initiative aligned with the recognition of both Niah National Park and Mount Mulu National Park as Unesco World Heritage Sites, making the Miri region a key tourism hub.
“These globally recognised sites have become major attractions. That’s why the Sarawak government is investing in infrastructure to improve road connectivity from Miri to Marudi, and ultimately to Mulu,” he added.
The Premier stressed that the development of integrated land, sea, and air connectivity is essential to ensure every region in Sarawak is accessible and can benefit from economic spillovers.
This includes the Sarawak’s strategic decision to take over MASWings and rebrand it as AirBorneo, as well as the construction of a deep-sea port in Miri to accommodate large vessels and improve logistics capacity.
“In two years, the deep-sea port for northern Sarawak will be ready, which will drive import-export activities from Miri and enable cruise ships carrying 2,000 to 3,000 passengers to dock here.
“To support our growing service and tourism industries, especially in northern Sarawak, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has also decided to fully acquire MASWings. With this, we’ll establish direct air routes to bring in more international tourists,” he highlighted.
On other infrastructure milestones, Abang Zohari also announced that the Limbang Bridge connecting Bandar Seri Begawan to Limbang is expected to be fully completed by the first quarter of next year.
Also in attendance at the event were Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, along with Federal Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Miri Division Resident Galong Luang, Miri City Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang and other distinguished guests. — DayakDaily
