By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 5: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has urged the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to allocate more modular steel bridges (Bailey Bridges) to Sarawak, so that some can be kept on standby for use during emergencies where bridges or roads are cut off.
“This will assist us in repairing and replacing bridges damaged by disasters last year. I hope Nadma will consider allocating more Bailey Bridges for Sarawak, so some can be kept as standby facilities in the event bridges or roads are cut off,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Bailey Bridge handover ceremony and the launch of the new Vehicle Yard at Senari Port here today.
With the delivery of two additional Bailey Bridges from Nadma today, Sarawak now has a total of three units.
The bridges will be installed at Sungai Pelutan in Long Jek and Sungai Bunau along Jalan Kebangan, both located in Baram.
“One was delivered earlier this year to replace a collapsed bridge at Sungai Baleh in Long Banga, Miri. Today, we received the remaining two,” he said.
Uggah, who is also the State Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development and chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), stressed that the modular bridges can be assembled in under a week if the site is ready, making them a rapid response solution for rural and interior areas struck by disasters.
He revealed that the Sarawak government has identified over 200 bridges and roads in urgent need of repair or reconstruction, particularly in Baram, Kakus, Skrang, Belaga, and Murum, where many of the routes are former logging roads.
“Recently, our team drove from Miri to Bario to assess the actual situation. The journey took up to 15 hours, and many of the temporary bridges built by logging companies are now in poor condition,” he said.
He added that Sarawak will take over and upgrade these logging and village roads into state roads, making them eligible for maintenance under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) allocation.
Meanwhile, Nadma in a press statement said the modular bridge initiative is part of a national strategic measure spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP).
It also forms part of the implementation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 and Nadma Directive No. 1, which emphasises comprehensive preparedness at all levels, especially in high-risk areas like Sabah and Sarawak.
Prior to the handover, Nadma deputy director-general (Policy) Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab officiated the Physical Inspection Session and Final Acceptance Test (FAT) training on July 29, 2025.
A total of 150 personnel from various agencies, including Nadma, the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and Sabah, the Royal Engineer Regiment (RAJD), and the SDMCs of both states, took part in comprehensive training on the installation, dismantling, and storage of the modular bridges. The sessions aimed to ensure technical readiness and coordination between state and federal agencies.
On a separate matter, Uggah announced that the new Vehicle Yard at Senari Port is now ready and capable of accommodating up to 2,500 vehicles.
The 14.64-hectare Vehicle Yard at Senari Port, developed by JKR at a cost of RM70 million, is designed to accommodate increased traffic from Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels and general cargo ships at Kuching Port, especially when the Sejingkat Bridge is completed and vessel movement becomes more restricted.
“Our bridge in Sejingkat may take until next year to be completed. That means there is still time, but the RoRo facility is ready. Ships can now enter and bring in vehicles here for the Southern Zone.
“Bintulu is not ready yet. But here, it is ready for use. Previously, the RoRo was located in Pending,” he added. — DayakDaily
