Batang Lupar Bridge 1 marks end of ferry services along Sarawak’s coastal highway

Uggah (centre) fielding questions from the media after officiating the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 near Sebuyau on May 21, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By Karen Bong

SEBUYAU, May 21: The completion of the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 has marked the end of ferry services along Sarawak’s coastal highway, signalling a major shift in the State’s transport network and rural connectivity landscape.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the soft launching ceremony of the bridge said the new bridge, together with other key coastal infrastructure, now provides continuous road connectivity along much of the Sarawak coastal route, significantly reducing reliance on ferry crossings.

He noted that with the opening of Batang Lupar Bridge 1, coastal travellers can now move from Kuching through Batang Lupar Bridge 1 and Batang Saribas 1 towards Miri without interruption, except for remaining ferry points such as the Paloh crossing and selected river crossings along the Batang Rajang corridor.

“There is still another ferry serving Paloh, but from Kuching through Batang Lupar Bridge 1 and Batang Saribas 1, the route is now largely connected. Only certain areas, such as those along Batang Rajang, still depend on ferry services if they are heading towards Paloh,” he said in a pre-recorded interview after officiating the soft launching of Batang Lupar Bridge 1 today.

Uggah explained that while the State government is progressively replacing ferry crossings with permanent bridges, some riverine communities will continue to rely on ferry services due to geographic and logistical constraints.

He added that the government has plans for the redeployment of retired ferries, ensuring they can still be utilised in rural areas where water transport remains essential.

“These ferries will be transported to other locations, as there are still a few areas in rural Sarawak that require ferry services. However, the number of such areas is now limited, including places like Merit and Tanjung Embang,” he said.

Uggah stressed that the transition from ferries to bridges represents Sarawak’s broader commitment to improving rural accessibility, enhancing safety, and strengthening economic linkages between regions.

He said the completion of Batang Lupar Bridge 1 is part of a larger transformation of Sarawak’s coastal highway, aimed at ensuring seamless road connectivity, reducing travel time, and supporting long-term socio-economic development across the State.

Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, and JKR Sarawak director Datu Ir Cassidy Morris were among the State leaders present at the event. — DayakDaily