SARIKEI: The site for the construction of the Batang Rajang bridge was strategically selected to ensure both Sarikei town and Bintangor can develop concurrently, a vision that dates back over 30 years.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the location not only promotes balanced development but is also more cost-effective compared to earlier proposals.
“In 2016, during the time of the late Tok Nan, we proposed for the road to be constructed between Sarikei and Bintangor.
“If we had followed the hospital route, the village of Bintangor would have been sidelined and left behind in terms of development.
“But with the bridge and road connecting Sarikei and Bintangor, both towns can grow together,” he said during the Kuala Rajang Aidilfitri Ramah Tamah event at Kampung Seberang Sarikei community hall on Sunday (Apr 6).
Len noted that three major road systems — the Pan Borneo Highway, the Second Trunk Road, and the Coastal Road — will be developed to strengthen Sarikei’s connectivity and attract greater attention and investment.
He added that the 12.6-kilometre road linking Sarikei to Kampung Bukit Kinyau has been approved with a budget of RM80 million, ensuring the village won’t be left out of the district’s development plans.
Additional road links to areas such as Sentebu, Sare, and Kerubong will further complete the district’s connectivity.
“This will not only provide job opportunities for our youth but also enable them to engage in entrepreneurship and economic activities once Sarikei is connected by roads from all corners of Sarawak,” he said.
To further drive growth, several infrastructure projects are in the pipeline to support economic expansion and create more job opportunities.
Among the approved projects is a RM15 million Entrepreneur Hub aimed at supporting small businesses in Sarikei.
The project is currently in the design phase.
Len, who is Kuala Rajang assemblyman, said the Premier has agreed to the commercial development of the Kampung Debak master plan — the original village of Sarikei — to add value to landowners’ assets.
He assured that the affected landowners will receive compensation and be offered new housing similar to Darul Hana at a nearby site adjacent to the Agro Park.
Meanwhile, nearby areas such as Kampung Warisan and Susur Jambu will also benefit from the Kuala Rajang Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), with RM2 million allocated for the construction of a new surau and community hall.
