Having rested for a couple of days while we had a pit stops by Miri and Sibu, we have the opportunity to recharge ourselves after a gruelling 10-day journey on the road from Telok Melano to Lawas and back.

Today, after breakfast in Sibu, we were hot on the wheel again to chase our next destination, Betong and Sri Aman.

Betong

At Betong, we checked out the latest road connectivity or more precisely the proposed second trunk road (STR) that will soon connect Betong, Sri Aman, Lingga, Sebuyau, Simunjan, Kota Samarahan and Kuching.


Betong is the administrative centre of Betong division with its Iban majority population. And Betong division is where the first Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan was from.

Passing through Betong, one can’t help but amazed at the beauty and splendour of its mini-Putrajaya federal government complex smacked on the hill that overlooks Betong town. The current Betong mini-Putrajaya State government complex also houses the Betong resident office and other state government agencies.


From Betong, we took a short cut road that eventually leads to the Pan Borneo highway that leads to Sri Aman.

Sri Aman

At Sri Aman, we were quite a surprise to see the Batang Lupar2 bridge which is fast nearing to its completion. The project crossing the mighty Batang Lupar will definitely provide a short cut for travellers from Kuching right up to Sibu, which is expected to be competed in the next few years.

Once completed, the bridge will connect the STR from the coastal road from Sebuyau to Betong. With its completion, it is expected to open vast hinterland in Sri Aman, that is currently by-passed by the Pan Borneo Highway.



So, the STR will give the vital link for Sri Aman to be connected to major towns and major settlements such as Kota Samarahan, Asajaya, Sebuyau, Lingga, Betong and right up to Sibu. This vast swath of land stretching from Sri Aman to Betong is indeed the headland of the Iban community.

With the completion of the bridge, the Sri Aman townsfolks will breathe a sigh of relief as their town will no longer be bypassed, as in the current state as in this case, it has been by passed by the multibillion-ringgit Pan Borneo Highway.

Sri Aman, formerly known as Simanggang, has played a major role in the history of Sarawak as it was here that the Sarawak government, led by then Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’kub and the North Kalimantan Communist Party led by Bong Kee Cho signed the peace accord in 1973, which ended the communist insurgency in Sarawak. This was how Sri Aman got its new name.

Batang Lupar 2 bridge

The Batang Lupar 2 bridge, spanning 870 metres wide, is more than 80 per cent completed and is expected to be fully operational in September 2026, and will be ready for the Pesta Benak in Sri Aman. The cost of the majestic bridge is over RM200 million.

The bridge has longed been lobbied by local politicians as it will provide better connectivity for the locals.


And of course, with better connectivity, it will benefit not only the local people of Sri Aman, with most of its people are made up of the Iban community.


Pesta Benak or Tidal Bore Festival

Every year, Sri Aman would host the Pesta Benak. It is a celebration for the tidal bore phenomenon where the people celebrate nature and culture, and of course with the thrill of water-based activities. This iconic event has become a hallmark of Sarawak's vibrant festival calendar.

At the heart of the Pesta Benak is the natural spectacle of a tidal bore, a phenomenon where water surges up the Batang Lupar River. At its maximum strength, the tidal bore can surge up at 18 kilometres per hour, generating awe-inspiring waves reaching the heights of up to three metres.

This unique phenomenon, originating from Seduku Island in the upper part of Lingga, Sri Aman, creates the perfect setting for water-based activities especially surfing.

​​The SLR will play a major role to link the people living in the vicinity from Sebuyau, Lingga, Sri Aman and Betong, as currently there is no proper road that serves them.

Conclusion

Sarawak is moving towards better connectivity with the completion of Pan Borneo Highway that provides the vital link from the south to the northern part of Sarawak.

Similarly, the coastal road will provide a vital link for those living along the coastal areas of Sarawak from Kota Samarahan right up to Lawas, with a few more bridges left to be completed.


The SLR on the other hand will provide the missing link among the major towns and settlements between Kota Samarahan, Simunjan, Sebuyau, Lingga, Sri Aman and Betong.

Ends/…