DARO: The ferry service which will no longer be required once the Batang Paloh Bridge is complete has been proposed to be relocated to other areas that still rely on river transport, ensuring the facility continues to benefit the public.

Tanjong Manis Member of Parliament Dato Ir Yusuf Abd Wahab said ferry services should not simply be discontinued once road access becomes available, but could instead be redeployed to areas where they are still needed.

“I hope that once the ferry is no longer used in this area, its service will not simply be discontinued,” he told reporters at the Batang Paloh Bridge Stitching Ceremony here on Thursday.

According to him, ferry services remain essential in several areas, including Kampung Paloh, which up to now has yet to be connected to other areas by road or bridge.

He said the stitching of the final segment of the Batang Paloh Bridge marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity to Pulau Bruit, thus reducing residents’ reliance on ferry services once the bridge is completed.

“Once this bridge is completed, we will no longer have to wait for a ferry to reach Pulau Bruit, as we will have more convenient road access,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dato Ir Yusuf also emphasised the importance of retaining and maintaining existing ferry ramps even when ferry services are no longer required at a particular location.

He explained that the ramps could still be utilised for monitoring bridge structures and supporting search and rescue operations during river emergencies.

“In the event of an emergency on the river, these ramps will make it easier for boats from the Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and other relevant agencies to be launched for search and rescue operations,” he added.

Earlier, the Batang Paloh Bridge Final Segment Stitching Ceremony was officiated by Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo representing Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Daro Assemblyman Dr Safiee Ahmad, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak Datu Chiew Chee Yau, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak Director Datu Dr Cassidy Morris and Mukah Division Resident Bujang Rahman Seli. -UKASnews