Saturday, 26 July 2025

State-level bridge run across all 17 major bridges possible in future

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Uggah delivers his speech.

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BINTULU: Sarawak may one day organise a state-level bridge run across all 17 of its major bridges in conjunction with future Sarawak Day celebrations, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah said the overwhelming response to the recent Jepak Bridge Run 2025, which attracted over 2,600 participants, shows strong public enthusiasm for such events.

“We hope to have more of these runs. Maybe one day, we will organise a run across all 17 bridges in Sarawak when we celebrate Sarawak Day,” he said.

He said this during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge in Bintulu on Wednesday night (Jul 23).

The bridge, which was completed on Mar 22 this year, has been dubbed Bintulu’s own ‘Golden Gateway’, likened to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

“The RM466.7 million project features a 1.283-km bridge and a 3.5-km dual carriageway, with a river clearance of 26 metres to allow marine vessels to pass beneath,” he added.

Uggah praised the Sarawak Works Department (PWD) and the project contractor for completing the bridge on schedule despite the many challenges faced during construction.

“I had the chance to monitor this project and it was not easy. But PWD and the contractor showed commitment and capability. This can be a role model for other projects in Sarawak,” he said.

He noted that PWD is currently handling RM42.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects funded by the state.

“Rivers that previously didn’t have bridges now have them, and one of our key focuses is building bridges. Currently, we are actively constructing 16 bridges, including the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge, which is the longest at 4.8 km.

“We hope they will be completed by March 2026. If possible, we will try our best to persuade the contractor to finish by December 2025. I will be visiting the bridge on July 30.

“And as for the final bridge to make it 17 in total, the Marina Bridge in Miri, we will discuss it with the contractor. I’ve heard that although the contract period is four years, they have whispered to our people that they could complete it in three years,” he said.

Describing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as the ‘Father of Infrastructure Transformation in Sarawak’, Uggah said the state’s rapid development has drawn attention nationwide.

“Now, the whole of Malaysia and even the world knows how Sarawak has progressed. Some may feel jealous, but we will defend Sarawak and continue to develop under the Premier’s leadership,” he said, quoting the Iban warrior spirit: “Agik Idup, Agik Ngelaban.”

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