KUCHING: The newly-officiated Batang Lupar Bridge 1 is expected to be a game changer for coastal areas in Sarawak, cutting travel time, and opening up development opportunities for once-isolated communities.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said this when asked about his convoy journey with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg through Pusa and Sarikei, ending in Sibu, using the bridge officiated by the Premier at its opening ceremony on Thursday (July 9).
Abdul Karim, who was speaking at a press conference today, said the coastal road had significantly cut the travel time.
“The journey to Sarikei took around an hour long compared to using the Pan Borneo Highway. The bridge is going to bring benefits to the coastal areas residents,” he said.
He acknowledged criticism from naysayers who argued that the millions spent on the bridge should instead be channelled to the less fortunate, noting that low-income families exist everywhere.
However, he said the project was intended to kick-start development in the surrounding areas, and that residents would see the impact within a few years.
He cited Sebuyau, Pusa, Maludam and Beladin as areas that would benefit from the improved connectivity.
Abdul Karim recalled that 10 to 20 years ago, villagers in the area would not have believed a bridge would ever be built across the Batang Lupar, as crossing the river by ferry alone used to take an hour.
He added that even in his own area of Asajaya, almost every household now owns a vehicle or motorcar, a sign of the growing need for better roads and transportation as areas continue to develop.
