KUCHING: Improved road connectivity following the opening of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge has boosted accessibility, tourism and economic activity in Sebuyau, Pusa and Maludam.
Lingga assemblywoman, Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, said communities in the area had benefited significantly from the bridge, which replaced reliance on ferry services that once took about an hour and posed various travel risks.
“Now it takes only about 10 minutes to reach Maludam, while travelling to Betong has also become much easier,” she said to reporters after the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women’s Supreme Council meeting today.
She said the improved connectivity had spurred economic growth, with more visitors travelling to Maludam, Triso and Pusa to enjoy local delicacies and explore the surrounding areas.
“People now know where these local foods originate from, and come directly to the area,” she said.
Despite the progress, Noorazah said further development was needed to strengthen the local economy, and create more opportunities for residents, particularly in Pusa district.
She also highlighted the tourism potential of Maludam National Park, saying it remained largely unknown among Sarawakians despite attracting visitors from abroad.
To raise the park’s profile, she said the biennial Maludam Explore Race will return in August to showcase the national park and its unique biodiversity while encouraging more people to visit the area.
According to Noorazah, records from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation show that visitors from countries including South Korea, Japan and China have travelled to Maludam National Park, while local visitor numbers remain relatively low.
