Travelling by road from Miri to Limbang is quite an easy task. But first of all, one must have a valid passport in order to enter Brunei through Sungai Tujuh’s Customs, and Immigration Complex (CIQ) and exit at Pandaruan CIQ.



And once one enters Brunei, in order to drive to Limbang, it would take at least three hours if one does not take any rest.

We arrived at Limbang slightly at 3pm and after taking a short break we drove to Ng Madamit which is about 45 minutes’ drive from Limbang town.

From Ng Medamit, it took us another five minutes to enter the SSLR project site.




SSLR2

SSLR2 is phase two of the SSLR project. This phase covers a distance of 335.54 km which will link Mulu to Ba’Kelalan and will be connected to Limbang (from Ng Medamit). Works have started on 24^th June 2024 and is expected to be completed on 24^th June 2029. The total cost of the project is expected to be RM7.15 billion.



Once completed, the road will link Miri to Limbang without passing Brunei. This will surely ensure a much smoother travel for Sarawakians driving from the south to the north and vice versa.

According to Public Works Department statistics, works on the project is currently at 7.79 per cent, with a slight delay of 5.09 per cent.



SSLR1

This phase covers a distance of 75.725km which will link Lawas to Long Lopeng. Works on this phase started on August 2021 and is expected to be completed in November this year. Currently, the project is 70.97 per cent and is slightly behind schedule by 9.27 per cent. The total cost of this project is RM1.02 billion.



Seamless drive in Sarawak by 2030



So, by 2030, we can expect Sarawak will be well connected from Telok Melano, at the southern tip of Sarawak to Lawas in the north.

By then, we can boost that Sarawak will have at least two trunk roads connecting Miri to the Kuching, namely though the Pan Borneo Highway and the coastal road.

As for Limbang and Lawas, the SSLR will provide the final link for the two administrative centres in the northern region to get connected to the rest of the State and Sabah.

This massive projects costing more than RM8 billion will surely benefit thousands of people living in northern part of Sarawak, especially those living in Limbang and Lawas.

On the same year, we are also expected to achieve a developed status. The year 2030 will a defining year for Sarawak.



Vision 2030

Sarawak’s vision 2030 is the realisation of the Post Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 whereby Sarawak is expected to attain a developed status with high income economy.

In fact, looking at the philosophy behind PCDS 2030, it is actually a very genius approach to develop Sarawak wholistically, from human capital development to industrialisation, modernisation and of course connectivity.



Conclusion.

The SSLR is definitely a gamechanger for Sarawak as it will be able to connect all major settlements, from Lawas to Kuching.

All the major projects, especially infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges that have been implemented in Sarawak under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg since he took over office on 13^th January 2017, are vital for Sarawak’s connectivity as it will allow greater mobility for its people.

Once that is achieved by 2030, the economic spinoffs will be massive as it will enable the people, including goods and services to be transported from one town to another, from north to south in a much smoother way.

So, the next five years is vital for Sarawak to move ahead and to achieve its vision. As such, in order to achieve that Sarawak would need good and efficient government in order to achieve what has been planned.

The leadership of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg has been proven to be very effective. And with him continue leading Sarawak, there is great hope that Sarawak’s vision to achieve a developed status will be achieved.