00:01The Batanglupa 1 bridge marks an important milestone in Sarawak's infrastructure development,
00:07says Sarawak Premier Tanshri Abang Johari Openg.
00:11He said the bridge, which connects Kuching to Seri Aman and Betong along the coastal
00:17road network, would shorten travel times and boost economic development in the areas it
00:22serves.
00:23Abang Johari said the bridge, which replaces the former ferry service, was originally
00:29requested by the local community and approved by the then Barisan National Federal Government.
00:36However, he said the project was later cancelled by the Pakatan Harapan government, along with
00:43two other proposed bridges, with the funds purportedly reallocated to the Sabah-Sarawak
00:49Link Road project.
00:51Abang Johari said Sarawak planned to build 21 bridges in total under its road infrastructure
00:58development programme.
00:59Of these, 11 have been completed, including Batanglupa 1, with six more expected to be
01:06completed this year, and the rest still in the planning stages.
01:10The 4.8-kilometre Batanglupa 1 bridge, linking Sebuyao to Triso, is the longest river-crossing
01:17bridge in Malaysia.
01:18Construction of the 848.7 million ringgit bridge began in January 2021, and it was open to traffic
01:26on May 21 this year, ahead of Thursday's official launch.
01:30Abang Johari said the bridge would improve connectivity for rural areas and open up surrounding areas
01:36for economic activities such as agriculture and fisheries.
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