SEBUYAU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has defended the Sarawak Government’s account of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge project, questioning the reasons behind its cancellation after the 2018 General Election and the explanation that its allocation had been redirected to the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR).
He said the timing of the SSLR’s implementation raised questions, noting that work on the federal project only began last year despite the bridge having been cancelled years earlier.
He said the Sarawak Government eventually revived the project using state funds after securing its own revenue sources.
“Some people say our narrative is wrong, but if the allocation was really meant for the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road, why did work on the project only begin last year? How many years has it been?
“There was clearly something behind it. Nevertheless, Sarawak persevered, and with the unity of our people and the efforts of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, we resolved the funding issue and continued connecting our rural areas,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge here today.
Abang Johari said the bridge was initially proposed following requests from residents and elected representatives seeking better connectivity between Kuching, Sri Aman and Betong.
He said the project was subsequently approved under the Barisan Nasional federal administration led by then prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, before being cancelled following the change of government after the 2018 General Election.
He said the Sarawak Government decided to proceed with the bridge despite concerns over its cost.
“When the project was cancelled, we decided to take it over ourselves. Some people asked whether we had the money, but we believed we could find the resources. In the end, GPS decided to build the bridge using Sarawak’s own funds,” he said.
Abang Johari said higher state revenue, including proceeds from the State Sales Tax (SST), had enabled Sarawak to finance major infrastructure projects independently.
He added that Batang Lupar 1, Batang Lupar 2 and several other bridges across the state were all funded by the Sarawak Government.
“That is the narrative of what happened in Sarawak. The Sabah-Sarawak Link Road only began last year, but the Batang Lupar Bridge has already been completed.
“They wanted to make life difficult for us and for the people of Sarawak. But today, Sarawak has shown that it has the capability to build its own roads and bridges,” he said.
He said continued investment in bridges and road networks remained essential to strengthening rural connectivity and supporting long-term economic growth across the state.
