Btg Lupar Bridge 1, Sarawak's longest bridge spanning over a river, to be opened to public before Gawai Dayak celebration

SEBUYAU, Jan 26 2026: Batang Lupar  Bridge 1, Sarawak’s longest bridge spanning over a river, is expected to be opened to the public before the end of May, just in time for the Gawai Dayak celebration.

Caption: Deputy Minister Aidel Lariwoo (centre) at the site of Batang Lupar Bridge 1 - Picture by Ukas

It is now 94.6 percent completed, according to the set schedule.

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Aidel Lariwoo said the infrastructure project worth RM848.75 million is now in the final phase of implementation and is scheduled to be fully completed on May 15, 2026.

"This project is progressing smoothly according to schedule even though there were technical problems at Pier 52, but the problem was overcome, that's why progress is going well.

"It will be completed in May.

"That means before the Gawai festival, it will be opened to the public," he told reporters after performing a symbolic 'Final Stitching' gimmick  site in Kampung Beliong, Sebuyau, today.

 Aidel added that the construction of the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 is among the major infrastructure projects in Sarawak which is expected to have a major impact in improving the communication network, boosting economic growth and facilitating the movement of people, especially in the Sebuyau area and its surroundings.

There are nine more bridges that will be completed this year, thus facilitating the reduction of travel time from one part to another which previously took a long time.

"The road network in the central and interior areas of the state will be fully complete with the completion of these bridges, supported by the Pan Borneo Highway, coastal roads and the Second Main Highway.

"This means that all these road networks complement each other where the existence of new roads, including spur roads that connect the Pan Borneo Road and the coastal road, of course it completes the road network in this area.

"This situation further facilitates the lives of residents living in the coastal area," he explained.

Also resent during the visit were Director of Sarawak Public Works Department Dr Cassidy Morris, Deputy Director  Wisil Lichok and Resident of Samarahan Division Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang.

 

Lack of understanding and acceptance of MA63 among the MPs a great challenge to Sarawak, Sabah

KUCHING: Lack of understanding and acceptance of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) among members of parliament (MPs) is a great challenge to Sarawak and Sabah to secure their support, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has said.

Fadillah Yusof: Level of understanding and acceptance among the MPs varied

He said efforts to provide continuous information on MA63 to the MPs have been identified as a key strategy to ensure sufficient support when a matter is brought up for a vote in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said the level of understanding and acceptance among the MPs varied even though the explanation had been given comprehensively.

"From there, we can categorize them where some want to understand, understand and want to be with us but there are also those who understand but do not want to be with us," he said.

He made the remarks when asked by reporters after the 'Fireside Chat' Session at the Oxbridge Sarawak Reception and Dinner last night.

He added that this early support is important to formulate a more structured political strategy for Sarawak and Sabah.

He explained that this mainly determines whether a motion or amendment related to MA63 has the potential to gain a full majority or otherwise.

"When something needs to be brought up for a vote, we already know the amount of support.

"From there, we can formulate a strategy in advance whether we will obtain a two-thirds majority (of votes) or not," he said.

MA63 needs to be studied and as a subject under the national education system, says DPM Fadillah

KUCHING: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) needs to be included and as a subject under the national education syllabus to increase the people's understanding of the history of the establishment of Malaysia and the spirit of nation-building.

Fadillah Yusof: Malaysia (based on) MA63 and the Intergovernmental Committee Report (IGC Report) but all of this is not included in the current syllabus, causing not many people to understand. 

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said the lack of emphasis on the history of the establishment of Malaysia in the existing education system has caused many to not understand the foundations of the formation of the country, including the role of MA63 and the Intergovernmental Committee Report (IGC Report).

"This history of the establishment of Malaysia, which many people actually do not understand.

"Because even in our education process, there is not much emphasis on the history of the establishment of Malaysia because it is more about the history of the establishment of Malaya.

"Malaysia (based on) MA63 and the Intergovernmental Committee Report (IGC Report) but all of this is not included in the current syllabus, causing not many people to understand," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the 'Fireside Chat' Session at the Oxbridge Sarawak Reception and Dinner last night.

Fadillah added that he also shared with Oxford and Cambridge University (Oxbridge) alumni how important it is now to revive the Malaysian spirit centered on MA63, especially understanding the content of the agreement.

He, who is also the Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, explained that the things that have been agreed upon should have been done but had not been done until the invasion or the Federal Government interfered in the matter of the claim.

"So we have to correct these things and these are the things that need to be discussed.

"It does not mean that Sabah or Sarawak want to claim but our claims are based on what is contained in MA63 and the IGC Report," he said.

Therefore, he said, the Action Council for the Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MTPMA63) is chaired by the Prime Minister, he and the ministers involved are trying to refine this matter so that these rights can be re-established or returned.

He added that the claims that cannot be fully returned will be harmonized so that the spirit can maintain unity and harmony in the country. - UKAS EDITION