Kapit–Belaga–Baram link up: Central Spine Road proposed for Sarawak interior

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By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, June 27: A long-term plan to strengthen connectivity across Sarawak’s interior is being proposed through the development of the Central Spine Road (CSR) linking Kapit, Belaga and Baram.

Works Minister and Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the CSR would extend existing and planned rural road networks, including the Jiwa Murni alignment, into a continuous spine through the interior.

“Apart from the Sibu–Kapit road completed in 2022, further development has also been approved. On September 29, 2024, the Prime Minister announced approval for the main Kapit Division road project, which will connect settlements across the Batang Rajang, starting from Song District to Kapit.

“We hope to continue this. We have discussed it with Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong. We are looking at upgrading the Jiwa Murni Road and extending it to Belaga, and further on to Baram, connecting the road networks in those areas. This is what we can refer to as the Central Spine Road,” he said during the Sarawakku Sayang Programme in Kapit, broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook today.

He said the concept mirrors major spine highway developments in Peninsular Malaysia, such as the Lingkaran Tengah Utama, which are designed to connect interior regions through continuous trunk road systems.

Nanta also said the longer-term vision includes stronger integration with the Sabah–Sarawak Link Road (SSLR), with potential connectivity extending towards Lawas and Limbang as part of wider northern Sarawak linkages.

He said improved connectivity would open up economic opportunities and improve access for rural communities still dependent on river transport.

According to him, some river-based services, including express boat operators, have already felt the impact following the opening of the Sibu–Kapit road, as road travel becomes the preferred mode of movement in certain areas.

“The issue there is that once the Sibu–Kapit road was completed, express boat operators have stopped services in some areas. This has become a major problem for communities on the other side.

“There are schools, clinics and many longhouses there. So access remains a real challenge for those areas,” he added.

He said the development would also benefit settlements along Sungai Iran, Sungai Manan, Sungai Hijau and other river corridors in Katibas, where access remains a key challenge.

He noted that several rural road projects are currently ongoing, including routes such as Nanga Ibau–Hulu Ibau and Nanga Tulek–Rumah Mujah in Nanga Pelagus, aimed at improving last-mile connectivity.

Additionally, he said completed and ongoing projects, including the Sungai Kapit bridge, Menuan Phase 1 and roads in Belawai and Hulu Belawai, reflect the government’s continued commitment to rural development.

He said future planning must ensure that all these fragmented links are fully connected into a continuous network forming part of the broader CSR corridor, extending from Asap and Belaga towards Baram and integrating with the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) system. — DayakDaily

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