After having a good night rest at a hotel in Sarikei, we had a hefty breakfast before we head off to Tanjung Manis for the next Odyssey.


With the completion of the 17km road from Jalan Pasi, in Sarikei to Tanjung Manis in 2024 that includes a 1.2km Batang Rajang Bridge, has shortened the distance from about 140 km via Sibu to 50km and the short cut has shortened the driving time from 2-3 hours to about 45 minutes today.


The new link road and the new bridge, which was completed in 2024 with a cost of RM321 million is indeed a game changer for the people living in the coastal area. At the same time, it also provides greater mobility for Sarawakians as a whole.

Today, traveling from Sarikei Town to Tanjung Manis-Pulau Bruit-Matu-Oya-Mukah is getting much smoother and seamless, except for two more bridges which are expected to be completed this year. Once completed, these bridges, consisting of the Batang Paloh Bridge and Batang Igan Bridge will provide seamless connectivity that will propel further development in the lower Rajang basin. The lower Rajang basin is a fertile coastal area that is well suited for commercial plantation such as palm oil and sago.


Upon reaching Tanjung Manis area, it is where the heartland of the Melanau begins. The Melanau community is the fifth largest ethnic group in Sarawak. According to estimates in 2020, the Melanau population in Sarawak is approximately between 125, 581 to over 155,000, making up about 4.9 per cent to 6 per cent of Sarawak’s population.

Traditionally, the Melanaus are known for being fishermen and sago planters. However, through education and modernisation, the Melanaus are among Sarawak’s most advanced community with many of them being professionals, businessmen and politicians.


Two of Sarawak’s former chief ministers and three former governors were of Melanau descent. The two famous sons of Melanau who have led Sarawak for more than four decades were the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’kub and the late Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who were both subsequently became governors of Sarawak. Another governor from the Melanau community was the late Tun Abang Haji Mohammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng.

The Melanau community are known for their hard work, tenacity and dedication. So, it is no surprise that they have produced many successful businessmen such as Tan Sri Mohamad Effendi Norwawi (who was a also former Federal minister), Datuk Amar Hamed Sepawi and Datuk Hasmi Hasnan.

The community too are active in politics. Currently, some Melanau politicians are members of the Sarawak Cabinet, namely Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, who is the Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community wellbeing, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development and Datuk Abdullah Saidol, who is the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) and Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, who is the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman). And at the federal level, the community has a representative in the person of Dato Hanifah Hajjar Taib, who is the Deputy Minister of Health Malaysia.


Pulau Bruit

Pulau Bruit is located at the Rejang Delta. The island is separated from the other islands in the Rejang Delta and the mainland by the mouth of the Batang Paloh on the south and Muara Lassa on the northeast.
Currently, the island is connected to the surrounding mainland and towns by a bridge crossing the Muara Lassa and a ferry point at Batang Paloh. However, the Paloh Bridge is expected to be completed by September this year.
Several fishing villages are located along the coast of the island, especially on the west coast, facing the South China Sea and a few others along the rest of the island's coast. The villages are usually located at the mouth of small rivers on the island. The two main villages are Kampung Semop and Kg. Bruit. Currently, all the villages in the island are connected to the main trunk road traversing the island.
Pulau Bruit is now undergoing rapid transformation as it is connected to the main electricity grid and water supply. The island is also having a good internet connectivity for ease of communication and doing business.
At the same time, the government is also building a rural growth centre (RGC) in the island. At the RGC, there are special housing scheme for the fishermen of the island.
One of the early settlers at the new housing scheme, Sebki bin Kawli, 65 and his wife Siti Rohana Abdullah were all smile when met by Kembara Ukas team at their newly completed home today.
“We are very thankful to our leaders especially to Premier Datuk Pattingi Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg and our local elected assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol for making our dreams come true with the completion of this house, along with other selected families,” said Sebki.
However, he hoped that the State government would consider their difficulties in servicing the housing loan which is half the amount of the total cost.
“Kamek dah sik terkaber mayar rumah tok sebab jadi nelayan, cabaran menagkap ikan memang sia lebih-lebih agi tempoh landas tok, which literally means “I’m finding it difficult to service the housing loan because as a fisherman, it is very challenging to catch fish especially during rainy season,””.
Nevertheless, Sebki remained positive in facing life’s challenges as he has four children, aged between 23-38, who could assist him to service the loan.
Moving forward

With the remaining few bridges scheduled to be completed by this year, the people living in the coastal region, especially the Melanau community will have a much better chance to further developed along with the other races who have already enjoy better facilities such as roads, electricity, treated water and telecommunication.

Conclusion

Indeed, with such hope and aspirations, the Sarawak government is giving equal opportunity to all the races in Sarawak through the Post Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which ensures social inclusivity, moving in tandem to achieve a developed status by 2030.


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