Premier: Pan Railway Bintulu project may be funded via joint venture

Abang Johari speaking at a dinner ceremony with community leaders and village chiefs in Bintulu on May 22, 2026. Photo: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 23: The proposed Pan Railway Bintulu project connecting Kidurong and Samalaju could be developed through a joint venture financing model.

According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the project is being planned as part of Bintulu’s long-term growth agenda, with future integration into the proposed Pan Borneo Railway network.

“I have negotiated with the federal government, and we have started planning the Pan Railway Bintulu from Kidurong to Samalaju.

“If it cannot be fully funded by them, we will implement it through a joint venture method.

“Therefore, Bintulu will be the first town in Sarawak to have a railway, and this will become a part of the Pan Railway within Borneo,” he said during a dinner ceremony with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) in Bintulu on Friday (May 22), as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Meanwhile, he said that Bintulu’s rapid development did not happen by chance, as it is the result of political stability, community unity, and close cooperation, which serve as the foundation for the area’s progress to the point of gaining international recognition.

Among those present that night were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily