KUCHING: Several main roads will be temporarily closed from July 24 to 27 to ensure the smooth running of the Sematan Festival 2025 in Lundu.
Lundu District Police chief Supt Sudirman Kram said a dry run will be held today (July 24), starting from 9.30 am, which will see the closure of Jalan Lundu-Sematan, from the four-way junction near the main event site heading into Sematan town.
He said for the main event days from July 25 to 27, road closures will be implemented from 7.30 am until the end of the event.
“Roads affected include Jalan Lundu–Sematan starting from the four-way junction near the main event site to Sematan town, Jalan Tanah Hitam–Sematan Waterfront, Jalan Goh Kheng Hoon–Lorong Pekan Sematan 3, Jalan Pekan Sematan heading towards the event grounds and Jalan Seacom–Sungai Kilong,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
On July 27, a Duathlon event involving running and cycling will take place between 6.30 am and 11am and will involve several roads.
“The 5km run will cover Jalan Pekan Sematan, Jalan Kampung Tanah Hitam up Jalan Kampung Trusan Jaya. Meanwhile the 9km run will take participants through Jalan Pekan Sematan, Jalan Seacom and Jalan Sungai Kilong.
“As for the 48km cycling segment, it will pass through Jalan Kampung Sungai Kilong, Jalan Kampung Siru, Jalan Kampung Pueh and continue along the Pan Borneo Highway to Sungai Bedaun,” he said.
In light of this, he said police and traffic marshals will be deployed to control traffic and carry out intermittent road closures based on the flow of the event.
“Alternative routes recommended for road users include Jalan Seacom and Jalan PLKN Tanah Hitam,” he said.
Sudirman added that parking will also be made available at several designated areas to accommodate visitors during the event.
“This includes Parking A, located at Medan Selera Sematan which can accommodate 40 cars and 100 motorcycles, Parking B located at Jalan Sungai Kilong football field which will operate as a paid parking area, and capable of holding between 150 and 200 vehicles.
“Meanwhile, Parking C will be within the compound of the Noorul Islam Mosque, which can fit 50 vehicles, while Parking D at the Anjung Usahawan Sematan will offer space for about 100 vehicles,” he said.
He also said that only entrepreneurs or hawkers with passes issued by the Lundu District Council will be permitted to enter Sematan town to unload their goods.
“Thus, they are required to exit the area on the dates of July 25 to 27, which are from 6 am to 7.30 am, and from 5 pm to 7 pm,” he said.
Sudirman advised the public that ahead of the event, they are to plan their journeys and parking arrangements in advance to prevent unnecessary delays and traffic congestion.
“The public are reminded to avoid double parking or obstructing traffic near the event site and to consider carpooling or using motorcycles where possible.
“Please obey all instructions given by traffic police and event marshals throughout the event. Ensure your vehicles are locked and valuables safeguard valuables to prevent theft,” he said.
He also urged the public not to operate drones without prior approval from the relevant authorities.
“For those travelling from outside Lundu, exercise caution and follow road regulations. Convoys from motoring clubs are also urged to comply with all legal requirements and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sematan Festival set to take place from July 25 to 27, will be officiated by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the main stage of the event grounds on July 25.
