Recounting the joys of travelling and seeing development taking place in Sarawak’s urban and rural areas
Bridge construction taking at a fast pace to provide seamless connectivity in Sarawak in time to come
The weather was almost perfect to begin the Odessey from Telok Melano, a quiet coastal village nestled at the southern tip of Sarawak bordering Indonesia. Once isolated and reachable mainly by boat, the village is now connected by the Pan Borneo Highway, which opens the gateway to journey across Sarawak.
The objectives of the journey were focused mainly on enhancing the people’s understanding and perception of the Sarawak government’s initiatives; to enhance greater communication between the government and the rakyat; to address inaccurate information regarding government initiatives and to enhance the role of UKAS as Sarawak’s strategic communication agency.
Our main focus of this inaugural journey was on the coastal road that will provide a vital second link from Kuching right up to the northern parts of Sarawak. Like highlighting the latest information on the major bridges along the coastal road. Thanks to the Public Works Department, Sarawak, for its assistance in providing the latest statistics on all 16 bridges along the Coastal Road.
Currently, seven of these major bridges have been completed, and the remaining nine are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Leaving Telok Melano, which is marked as KM-0, the team drove through the highways that passed through lush green scenery, seemingly unending, with dots of settlement along the way to the nearest town, Sematan.
After a pit stop at Sematan, we headed to Kuching via the Sempadi Road that passed through the Rambungan Bridge, which is currently under construction with works on the project reaching about 20 per cent, and scheduled to be completed by December this year.
Once completed, the bridge will replace the ferry services which serve the people living in the vast coastal area from Kuching to Lundu. An alternative to the Kuching-Bau-Lundu Road, so to speak.
The Rambungan Bridge holds a strategic key to further develop the whole of the Sempadi area, which is suitable for commercial agriculture, aquaculture and of course, eco-tourism.
Upon reaching Kuching, we stopped for lunch and to replace our vehicle’s four tyres as we had to traverse the whole length of Sarawak, from Telok Melano right up to Lawas in the north, covering a distance of about 1,750km. Kota Samarahan was the final stop on Day 1. And there are still 20-plus districts to cover along the way.
Day 2
An overnight rest in Kota Samarahan recharged us after a long day traversing Telok Melano to the jam-prone Kota Samarahan area, when traffic at certain stretches could be just a standstill.
We were hoping for a fine day, But that did not happen as heavy rains poured from the early in the morning. Under such circumstances, we thought it was better to delay our restart for safety.
Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) Tambirat Hawker Centre
Our first pit stop was at MPKS Tambirat Hawker Centre, where we met and spoke to a few traders who were more than willing to share their stories since they started trading there three years ago
The new MPKS Tambirat Hawker Centre has given much hope for 54-year-old Rogayah Drahman. For 18 years, she has been selling traditional cakes and cookies at the roadside near her village at Kampung Tambirat along the busy Kota Samarahan-Asajaya Road. Naturally, she and other traders were pleased when allowed to open at the new market because of better business opportunities.
With a minimal rent of RM90 per month, Rogayah was thankful to the MPKS for providing such a modern facility which includes toilets, cafes and ample parking spaces for motorists to stop by.
And with their hard-earned income, Rogayah and her husband have been able to provide education for their four children.
“Three of my children have completed their studies and are now already having their own families. Only our youngest daughter is still with us, as she is taking her first-year study at UiTM Kota Samarahan Campus,” Rogayah said.
Another trader, Juliana Khalik 39, has been selling fresh nipah palm fruits’ sapling juice at the market. Business has been brisk.
“Before this, we traded our produce along the roadside. We are thankful to the authorities for providing this place for us. Now everyone can be involved in trading as long as he or she is willing to venture into it,” she said
For pineapple products trader Rabuan Bujeng, 60, the facilities at MPKS Tambirat Hawker Centre has provided her with an opportunity to increase her business volume. She sells pineapple-based products such as sambal nanas, pineapple-based soap, fresh pineapple juice and pineapple cakes.
Rabuan hopes that MPKS would allow her to expand the stall, as the current space is too small, adding that “What we are offering to our customers are very unique,.”
After Pasar Tani Tambirat, we headed off to Sebuyau Town instead of going to Simunjan Town, as it is a bit off the route to our next destination.
Located at a strategic location, Sebuyau Town has steadily grown from a sleepy bazaar before the coastal road was completed. Now with better road connectivity, many motorists who along this coastal road often stop for their meals.
As the only major town located between Asajaya and Pusa, Sebuyau Town has a big potential to grow like any other major town in Sarawak, thanks largely to the coastal road, which will soon be a seamless drive from Telok Melano right up to Miri once all the 16 bridges are completed by the end of this year.
Currently, three major bridges are under construction from Sebuyau right up to Pusa Town. They are the Batang Lupar Bridge 1, Sg Krian Bridge and Kuala Saribas Bridge 2.
Once completed, the Batang Lupar Bridge 1, costing almost RM1 billion, will be the longest inland bridge in Malaysia with a total length of almost 5km. The iconic bridge will touch on two tiny islands situated at the middle of Batang Lupar’s river mouth.
After Sebuyau Town, we headed off to Pusa and eventually had our second stopover in Sarikei.
An urgent need for proper signboards along the Sarawak Coastal Road
Along the way, what we observed that there was lack of proper signboards that would provide crucial information to motorists who may not know the exact direction of their destinations. As such, it is hoped that the relevant authorities will take note.
Aggressive rural development policy under PCDS 2030
Under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg, Sarawak has invested billions of ringgit in infrastructure, especially on roads and bridges in Sarawak. This is to ensure that Sarawak will attain developed status by 2030 as envisioned under the Post Covid Development Strategy 2030.
— UKAS