KUCHING: The Batang Sejingkat Bridge is expected to benefit about 56,000 residents in the Demak Laut constituency by improving connectivity and spurring socio-economic development.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the long-awaited bridge would not only improve accessibility for residents in Demak Laut and Sejingkat, but also serve as a strategic infrastructure link for the wider Sarawak region.
“On behalf of the people of Demak Laut, Petra Jaya and Kuching, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Sarawak leadership, especially Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the State Cabinet and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development for delivering such a meaningful project.
“This bridge will benefit not only the people of Demak Laut and Sejingkat, but also Sarawak as a whole,” he said when met during a site visit to the Batang Sejingkat Bridge here today (July 7).
Dr Hazland said the Demak Laut constituency is home to about 56,000 residents across 40 villages, with the constituency covering an area roughly half the size of Negeri Sembilan.
Tanjung Embang, he said, which forms part of the constituency and spans about 15,000 hectares, has been earmarked for major strategic developments, including the proposed new international airport and deep-sea port.
“The area is large enough to accommodate a new airport comparable in size to Doha Airport, God willing, as well as a deep-sea port located about eight kilometres offshore,” he said.
Dr Hazland added that improved connectivity through the Batang Sejingkat Bridge is expected to support rapid growth in the surrounding areas.
He said that five major developments are planned in Muara Tabuan, Tanjung Bako, Sejingkat, Goebilt and Bako.
“These developments will help improve the socio-economic well-being of residents in both the Demak Laut and Samarahan areas as they will now be connected through a better road network,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the Batang Sejingkat Bridge project has reached 94 per cent physical completion and is progressing slightly ahead of schedule.
The 1.2-kilometre bridge is expected to be completed by October this year and will form a key component of the Sarawak Second Trunk Road, providing a new transport corridor linking Kuching with the state’s coastal and interior areas.
