BY NATASHA JEE & ALLAN JAY
This is the first part of a three-part series exploring the transformation of Sarawak’s iconic river taxis, from their traditional roots to the state’s push for electric-powered sustainability.
The Sarawak River is more than a waterway—it’s a vital thread weaving together Kuching’s past and present, a living artery of the city’s heritage.
Last week, under a gentle afternoon breeze, my colleague Allan, our photographer Mohd Alif Noni, and I, Natasha, set out to experience Kuching from its iconic river taxis. Our journey involved two boat rides—moments apart, yet worlds apart in experience.
A Traditional Journey
At 2:30 p.m., a pak tambang (boatman) guided his traditional perahu penambang to Pangkalan Panjang along Kuching’s scenic waterfront. It had been over a decade since our last river taxi ride, and the anticipation was both thrilling and slightly nerve-wracking.
We stepped into the beautifully decorated, brown-hued wooden boat and settled onto its narrow benches, gripping the sides tightly. With a twist of the generator’s starter, the engine roared, its growl and faint smoky haze filling the air, nearly drowning out the water’s splash. We embarked on a 300-meter journey to Pangkalan Nibong, Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar.
The short trip offered a vivid glimpse of Kuching’s contrasts: towering skyscrapers of the city center against the sky, and across the river, traditional village houses exuding quiet charm.
A Glimpse of the Future
At Pangkalan Nibong, we spotted a boat marked e-penambang. Intrigued, we boarded this modern river taxi to experience its innovation.
The E-Penambang project, a pilot by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), has retrofitted nine boats with a 3kW electric propulsion system powered by a 3kWh lithium battery. Designed for silent operation, zero emissions, and lower costs, it offered a different experience.
Gliding back to Pangkalan Panjang, the absence of engine noise let us hear the water’s ripples and feel the river breeze. The wider, smoother boat made the journey comfortable and connected to the river’s rhythm. A stop at the charging station highlighted the project’s innovative infrastructure.
A Living Heritage
The Sarawak River is central to the state’s history. Dr. Nicholas Gani, Deputy Dean at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, notes, “The arrival of James Brooke in 1841 on the river’s banks marked the start of the Brooke family’s rule.”
Rivers like the Sarawak have been cradles of civilization. “For centuries before the Brookes, these waters hosted the lives of Sarawak’s peoples,” Dr. Gani explains.
Despite modern bridges and highways, the river taxi remains vital. For locals, it’s affordable and practical; for visitors, it’s a chance to glide along historic routes, experiencing Sarawak’s living heritage.
Sailing Toward Sustainability
The river taxis are embracing a new era with the E-Penambang project, blending tradition with technology for a quieter, more sustainable ride.
Ahmad Junaidi, a 62-year-old boatman with 45 years of experience, ferried us that afternoon. He welcomes the shift to electric boats as progress and preservation. “I’ve operated this electric boat for a month,” he said, navigating from Pangkalan Nibong to the charging station. “Everything’s at my fingertips—on/off, speed, direction. It even reverses, unlike before when I paddled manually.”
The boat’s control system, with a key and screen showing energy and battery levels, impressed him. “It’s safer and cheaper,” he said. “I used to spend RM20 to RM50 weekly on fuel. Now, I charge for three hours, and it lasts two to three days.”
Ahmad, a father of six from Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar, works 10 to 16 hours daily, earning RM100 to RM180. “This is how I raised my family,” he said. “Tourists boost earnings during school holidays.” His day starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., when another boatman takes over.
The river taxi is a legacy from his late father. Starting at 16, Ahmad used a two-horsepower engine costing RM300, later upgrading to a five-horsepower model for RM1,000. “Repairs cost up to RM300—a lot for a boatman,” he recalled. The E-Penambang is a turning point. “I was nervous but excited. After my cousin’s success in the 2023 pilot, I was convinced. Passengers say it feels like floating, and I feel it too—no heavy pulling, just a finger to control it.”
As wooden boats transition to fibreglass, Ahmad hopes new designs retain Sarawak’s identity. “I’m eager to try the new boat by October. I hope it fits 12 passengers—tourists need comfort,” he said. His 28-foot wooden boat, a companion for over 40 years, will be preserved.
Blending Tradition with Innovation
The E-Penambang project includes 12 new fibreglass boats, developed with DBKU, the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). A floating solar charging station at Kampung Sungai Bintangor Pontoon Jetty, with a 19.84kWp bifacial solar PV system and 10 charging points, operates under the Net Energy Metering scheme, with potential for battery storage and hydrogen integration.
DBKU reports the E-Penambang concept began in May 2023 with an SEB prototype, followed by a Proof of Concept trial in October 2023 at Kuching Waterfront. At the August 17 soft launch, Deputy Minister Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the project supports Sarawak’s green economy and traditional boat operators.
For Ahmad, the E-Penambang ensures the river taxi’s legacy. “As long as this river flows and villagers need it, the penambang will live on,” he said. “From wood to fibreglass, petrol to electricity—the soul remains the same. I hope all boatmen join this green project.”
