KUCHING: The opening of the 4.84km Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge marks a historic milestone for Sarawak’s infrastructure development and proves the State Government’s commitment to delivering long-promised projects, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The bridge is now the longest river bridge in Malaysia and stands as a symbol of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s ability to turn plans into reality.
“Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge is now the longest river bridge in Malaysia. The bridge spans approximately 4.84 kilometres.
“Construction cost amounted to about RM848 million, nearly RM1 billion. The bridge was financed entirely using Sarawak state funds,” Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, told reporters after officiating the so opening in Sebuyau, Thursday.
He said the delivery of the project reflects the State Government’s continued push towards infrastructure transformation.
“This bridge is one of the projects that was once criticised as a mere announcement, but has now become a reality,” he said, adding that Sarawak’s ongoing development of roads, bridges, water supply and electricity demonstrates sustained progress across the state.
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Uggah said the bridge forms part of the wider Sarawak Coastal Road and Bridge Network involving 21 bridges, and significantly improves connectivity along the Kuching-Sibu-Miri route.
With the opening of the bridge, ferry services across Batang Lupar have been discontinued, reducing travel time from 30 to 45 minutes via ferry to about five minutes by road.
“Although ferry operations at Batang Lupar have ended, some ferries will be redeployed to rural and interior areas of Sarawak that still require river crossings.
“Areas still needing ferry services include a few locations along Batang Rajang, Merit, Sedaya and Tanjung Embang as well as other remote settlements,” Uggah said.
He also credited Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for prioritising infrastructure development since helming the state in 2017, describing the bridge as part of a broader transformation of Sarawak’s physical and economic landscape.
Meanwhile, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the project reflected the government’s determination and financial capability to implement mega infrastructure projects, despite earlier setbacks when the bridge was cancelled under the previous federal administration.
He said Sarawak proceeded with the project using state funds under what he described as a “daring approach”.
The Sebuyau Assemblyman also noted that the Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge is one of the more challenging components of the Coastal Road Network.
During the event, Uggah announced that the Batang Lupar Half Marathon 2026 would be held on July 12 at the bridge, with preparations already underway.
Following the so opening, the bridge was made accessible to the public from Thursday evening, while the Triso ferry service, which has operated since 2013, ceased operations.
