After having a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast at a hotel in Sarikei, we left for Tanjung Manis for our next Odyssey on Day 3.The 1.2km Batang Rajang Bridge, connecting Jalan Pasi in Sarikei to Tanjung Manis, was completed in 2024
As we travelled, we found that the 17km road from Jalan Pasi in Sarikei to Tanjung Manis, which was completed in 2024 (including a 1.2km Batang Rajang Bridge), is a major game changer. The route has shortened the travelling distance by about 140 km via Sibu to just 50km. And the drive time has been shortened to just 45 minutes from the arduous two to three hours previously.
The Batang Paloh Bridge is expected to be completed by September 2026
The new link road and the new bridge, which were completed for RM321 million, have provided greater mobility to change the lives of Sarawakians living in the coastal area and elsewhere.
Today, travelling from Sarikei to Tanjung Manis-Pulau Bruit-Matu-Oya-Mukah is much, much smoother and seamless, except for two more bridges, which are expected to be completed later this year. Once completed, the Batang Paloh Bridge and Batang Igan Bridge will provide seamless connectivity that will propel further development in the lower Rajang basin, a fertile coastal area that is well-suited for commercial oil palm and sago plantations.Pulau Bruit’s fishermen housing scheme
Upon reaching the Tanjung Manis area, it is where the Melanau heartland begins. The Melanau community is the fifth largest ethnic group in Sarawak. According to estimates in 2020, the Melanau population in Sarawak is approximately between 125,581 and over 155,000, making up about 4.9 per cent to six per cent of Sarawak’s total population.
Traditionally, the Melanaus are known for being fishermen and sago planters. However, through better education and modernisation, the Melanaus are among Sarawak’s most advanced communities, with many of them becoming professionals, businessmen and politicians.
Sebki and his wife Siti Rohana inside their newly-completed house at Pulau Bruit
Two of Sarawak’s former chief ministers and three former governors were of Melanau descent. The two famous sons of Melanau who have led Sarawak for more than four decades were the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’kub and the late Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who both subsequently became governors of Sarawak.
Another governor from the Melanau community was the late Tun Abang Haji Mohammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng.
The Melanau community is known for their hard work, tenacity and dedication. So, it is no surprise that they have produced many successful businessmen such as Tan Sri Mohamad Effendi Norwawi (who was also a former federal minister), Datuk Amar Hamed Sepawi and Datuk Hasmi Hasnan.
The community too are active in politics. Currently, some Melanau politicians are members of the Sarawak Cabinet, namely Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, who is the Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community wellbeing, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development and Datuk Abdullah Saidol, the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) and Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, who is the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman).
At the federal level, the community has representation through Dato Hanifah Hajjar Taib, the Deputy Minister of Health.
The newly-completed Muara Lassa Bridge connecting Pulau Bruit to Daro
Pulau Bruit
Pulau Bruit is located at the Rejang Delta. The island is separated from the other islands in the Rejang Delta and the mainland by the mouth of the Batang Paloh on the south and Muara Lassa on the northeast.
Currently, the island is connected to the surrounding mainland and towns by a bridge crossing Muara Lassa and a ferry point at Batang Paloh. However, the Paloh Bridge is expected to be completed by September this year.
Several fishing villages are located along the coast of the island, especially on the west coast, facing the South China Sea and a few others along the rest of the island’s coast. The villages are usually located at the mouths of small rivers on the island.
The two main villages are Kampung Semop and Kg. Bruit. Currently, all the villages on the island are connected to the main trunk road traversing the island.
Pulau Bruit is now undergoing rapid transformation as it is connected to the main electricity grid and water supply. The island also has good internet connectivity for ease of communication and doing business.
At the same time, the government is also building a rural growth centre (RGC) on the island. At the RGC, there are special housing schemes for the island’s fishermen.
One of the early settlers at the new housing scheme, Sebki bin Kawli, 65 and his wife Siti Rohana Abdullah, were all smiles when they spoke to the Kembara Ukas team at their newly-completed home today.
“We are very thankful to our leaders, especially to Premier Datuk Pattingi Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg and our local elected assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol, for making our dreams come true with the completion of this house, along with other selected families,” said Sebki.
However, he hoped that the state government would consider their difficulties in servicing the housing loan, which is half the amount of the total cost.
“Kamek dah sik terkaber mayar rumah tok sebab jadi nelayan, cabaran menagkap ikan memang sia lebih-lebih agi tempoh landas tok, which literally means “I’m finding it difficult to service the housing loan because as a fisherman, it is very challenging to catch fish, especially during the rainy season.”
Nevertheless, Sebki remained positive in facing life’s challenges as he has four children, aged between 23 and 38, who could assist him to service the loan.
Moving forward
With the remaining few bridges scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, the people living in the coastal region, especially the Melanau community, will have a much better chance to further develop, along with the other races who have already enjoyed better facilities, such as roads, electricity, treated water, and telecommunications.
With such hope and aspirations, the Sarawak government is providing equal opportunities to all races in the state through the Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which ensures social inclusivity, working in tandem to achieve a developed status by 2030.
— UKAS/WE