KUCHING: Sarawak is set to chart another historic milestone as the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge in Sebuyau will be officially opened tomorrow, subsequently easing travel for the people, especially in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha and Gawai Dayak celebrations.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the opening of the bridge will end the residents' reliance on ferry services, which have long been a part of the local community's daily routine.

“Tomorrow, Sarawak will witness a historic moment with the opening of the Batang Lupar 1 ridge in Sebuyau.

"With this bridge, the people can travel back to their villages easily for the Hari Raya Haji and Gawai Dayak celebrations. There is no longer a need to queue for the ferry," he said.

He said this during his winding-up session in conjunction with the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Wednesday.

The Sarawak Premier added that the 4.8-kilometre bridge is the longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia, which will terminate the Triso ferry service and open a new chapter for a faster and smoother connectivity system.

He further noted that infrastructure development remains the backbone of Sarawak's growth, with various transformations implemented to reinforce the connectivity network across the state.

“I still remember in the old days, a journey to Simanggang town could take around six to seven hours.

“However, the situation has now changed significantly; travel has become so much easier and faster that we can enjoy breakfast there and return to Kuching just in time for lunch,” he said.

He pointed out that throughout the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) period, the Sarawak Government executed one of the most high-impact infrastructure transformations in the state's history through the construction of 21 major bridges alongside critical road networks, such as the Coastal Road Network Connectivity Programme and the Second Trunk Road.

“Out of these 21 major bridges, 10 have been fully completed and opened to the public, replacing six ferry services that were previously part of the local community's daily travel routine.

“By the end of this year, another eight bridges are expected to be completed,” he added.

He went on to say that under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), Sarawak aims for a 100 per cent road network coverage across the state to ensure every community can connect with economic opportunities, services, and development.

“Every completed road, every opened bridge, and every established connectivity network is a testament to the GPS Government's commitment to ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the people remain protected.

“This achievement proves that political stability, execution discipline, and prudent financial management can be translated into tangible results for the future of Sarawak,” he said. — UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim