Eight road projects, costing RM3.21 billion, being carried out by the state JKR

SEBUYAU. July 9 2026: A total of eight road project packages with an overall cost of RM3.21 billion are being actively carried out under the Sarawak Second Trunk Road (SSTR) and Coastal Second Trunk Road (CSTR) projects.

 

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas says once the entire road network is completed, the travel distance from Kuching to Sibu will change in two ways

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said the state Public Works Department (JKR) is actively carrying out a network of roads in the Samarahan, Betong and Sri Aman Divisions to improve connectivity in the respective areas.

"Once this entire road network is completed, the travel distance from Kuching to Sibu will change in two ways — firstly, there will no longer be any ferry crossing, as that will be a thing of the past, and secondly, the distance will be shortened to just 252 kilometres, compared to 396 kilometres via the Pan Borneo Highway, a reduction of 144 kilometres," he said.

He was speaking at the official opening of Batang Lupar 1 Bridge by Premier Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Openg today.

Uggah said they comprise Package A1-A, from the Samarahan Bridge to Sadong Jaya, worth RM529.8 million and expected to be completed in December 2027; Package A1-B, involving the construction of an elevated highway to the Sadong Jaya Bridge, worth RM779.9 million and expected to be completed in September 2030; and Package A2, from Sadong Jaya to Sebuyau, worth RM542.8 million and expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

He said other projects being carried out include Package B1, from Sebuyau to the Lingga Bridge, worth RM494.6 million, and Packages P1 and P2, involving road upgrading works from the Lingga Bridge to Bakong and Entulang (Sri Aman), worth RM140.8 million.

He said other projects include Package B4, from the Batang Lupar 2 Bridge to the Pan Borneo Highway junction in Betong, worth RM292 million and expected to be completed in September 2026, as well as Package A5, from the Saribas 2 Bridge to the Pan Borneo Highway junction in Roban, worth RM431.8 million and expected to be completed in March 2027.

Among those present were Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, who is also Sebuyau Assemblyman Julaihi Narawi, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dr Stephen Rundie Utom and Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Minister Fatimah Abdullah.