By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 26: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today warned that the proposed Sibu-West Bank bridge project could be affected if there is a change in the Sarawak government after the coming State election.
He said the long-awaited bridge connecting Sibu to the West Bank had already been designed but would require three years to complete.
“However, our term is coming to an end soon. We have to make a wise choice on who will govern Sarawak next.
“If the government continues, the bridge will continue and it will take three years to complete. If the wrong choice is made, ‘pas pas ajak lah’ (then we can forget about it). The decision is up to us – Central Zone,” he said when speaking at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Special Convention for the Central Zone in Sibu today. His speech recording was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abang Johari, who is also the PBB president, further said voters in the Central Region must decide whether they wanted to see continued development for Sibu and surrounding areas.
“The Central Region, it depends on you. Whether we want Sibu to become beautiful or not, we know the answer if we want it to become beautiful,” he added.
Abang Johari also said the same development aspirations extended to areas such as Kapit and Belawai, where the government had plans to further enhance connectivity and economic opportunities.
In a previous report dated April 12, 2026, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian reportedly said the proposed bridge has entered the final stage of design selection, pending a final decision by the Premier.
He said the London Bridge-inspired project is estimated to cost between RM300 million and RM400 million and has already received preliminary approval to proceed.
The project first gained prompt attention after it was raised last year by Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman, Kevin Lau Kor Jie, in the presence of the Premier. — DayakDaily
