‘Ada udang di sebalik batu’: Premier questions Batang Lupar Bridge 1 cancellation

Abang Johari (seated centre) speaks during a press conference after the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 opening ceremony in Sebuyau on July 9, 2026. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 9: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today suggested there was “ada udang di sebalik batu”, or something behind the decision, when the federal government cancelled the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 project after the 2018 General Election.

Speaking at a press conference after officiating at the opening of Batang Lupar Bridge 1, Abang Johari questioned the justification given at the time that funds were needed for the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR).

“If it is true that the funds were meant for the SSLR, the project only began last year. How long has it been since the Batang Lupar Bridge project was cancelled?

“Memang ada udang di sebalik batu (There was clearly something behind the decision),” he said.

Nevertheless, he said Sarawak had persevered despite the challenges and, through the strong unity of its people and the efforts of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), was able to resolve the funding issue and continue its efforts to improve connectivity in rural areas.

Earlier in his speech at the opening ceremony, Abang Johari addressed claims that the narrative surrounding the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 project was inaccurate, with some arguing that the project was not cancelled but merely postponed.

Responding to the criticism, he said he wanted to share the facts behind the development of the bridge, which he said had gone through a series of decisions and challenges before being completed by the GPS-led Sarawak government.

He said the first fact was that the bridge was requested by the local community and their elected representatives, including the then Batang Lupar Member of Parliament, Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim.

The second fact, he said, was that the project had already been approved by the former Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government under former prime minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak together with the late former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

The third fact, according to Abang Johari, was that after BN lost the 2018 General Election and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration took over the federal government, three bridge projects in Sarawak, namely Batang Lupar, Rambungan and Igan, were cancelled.

He said the fourth fact was that the cancellation meant Sarawak could not proceed with the construction of the bridges at that time.

The fifth fact, he added, was GPS’ decision to take over the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 project and proceed with its construction using Sarawak’s own funds, costing close to RM1 billion.

The sixth fact, he said, was Sarawak’s experience when seeking federal assistance to restore dilapidated schools, where the State government was asked to take a loan instead of receiving direct assistance, despite the Federal Constitution allowing the federal government to provide loans to State governments.

The seventh fact, he said, was that Sarawak repaid the RM1 billion loan even though the repayment period had not yet arrived, while still waiting for the promised school restoration works to proceed.

The eighth fact, he said, was the criticism faced by Sarawak at the time, including claims that the State would become bankrupt within three years due to its annual budget exceeding RM10 billion, which he said was largely channelled towards rural development and infrastructure projects.

The ninth fact, Abang Johari said, was that Sarawak continued developing Batang Lupar Bridge 1 and other infrastructure projects, including bridges across the State, using its own funds to improve rural connectivity and support economic growth.

“They said our narrative was wrong, but these are the facts and this is the reality that Sarawak had to face. If the reason was because of the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road, that project only started last year in 2025, while Batang Lupar Bridge has already been completed.

“It was intended to make things difficult for us and the people of Sarawak. They thought we would struggle, but they did not know that the people of Sarawak would not be easily brought down; we have our own ‘bujang senang’ here,” he stressed.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Utility and Telecommunication as well as Sebuyau assemblyman Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development as well as Dalat assemblywoman Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development as well as Kemena assemblyman Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development) as well as Sadong Jaya assemblyman Datuk Aidel Lariwoo; and Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) director Datu Cassidy Morris. — DayakDaily