KUCHING — The Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge, connecting Sebuyau and Maludam in Sarawak, opens to traffic today as Malaysia’s longest river-crossing bridge.
The 4.8-kilometre structure surpasses the 1.7-kilometre Sungai Johor Bridge, previously the country’s longest, Borneo Post reported.
Forming a key part of Sarawak’s Coastal Road Network and Second Trunk Road Programme, the bridge aims to enhance connectivity between coastal communities and major towns across the state. Construction officially began in March 2021, with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas scheduled to officiate the soft opening this afternoon.
The RM848.75 million project was carried out by a joint venture between Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pansar Berhad, and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co Ltd.
With the bridge now operational, the long-standing Sebuyau-Triso ferry service has been discontinued, ending decades of reliance on ferries for residents and road users travelling between the coastal areas.
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday, said the bridge would ease travel and reduce waiting times for residents.
“With this bridge, the people can return to their hometowns easily in conjunction with the Hari Raya Haji and Gawai Dayak celebrations. There will no longer be any need to wait for the ferry,” he said. – May 21, 2026