Sarawak pushes Bintulu rail rollout as cargo strain intensifies, Bintulu–Samalaju corridor set as first phase

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: UKAS

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, May 23: Sarawak is moving to accelerate the implementation of a rail system in Bintulu as heavy industrial cargo movement between key economic zones continues to strain existing road infrastructure, with the Bintulu–Samalaju corridor identified as the starting phase.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is currently conducting a feasibility study on the proposed rail link, following earlier announcements on the development of a three-satellite rail system connecting Bintulu, Kidurong and Samalaju.

“I have announced that we will conduct a study to establish a railway between Bintulu and Samalaju. The EPU is now carrying out the study for this proposal,” he said when speaking during the Bintulu Division-level Sarawakku Sayang Programme broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook today.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Abang Johari said the initiative is aligned with ongoing federal-level feasibility studies on the proposed Pan Borneo Railway network, which is expected to connect Sabah and Sarawak before potentially extending to Indonesia through government-to-government cooperation.

“So what I want to do is, we already have the alignment which will later be approved by the federal government. So we follow that, but we start with the Bintulu–Kidurong segment first.

“Because right now there is a very heavy load of cargo movement between Bintulu Port, Kidurong and Samalaju. It is affecting our roads. If we use rail, there will be no issue with load. So it’s alright, we start small first,” he added.

He said the railway would serve both passenger and cargo transport, forming part of Bintulu’s long-term urban and industrial expansion.

“It will be both. There are many types of carriages. Some for passengers, some for cargo,” he said.

On April 15, Abang Johari announced that Sarawak is studying the possibility of connecting Bintulu Port and Samalaju Industrial Park via a rail network that would form a three-satellite transport system to enable faster and more efficient movement of goods and people across Bintulu, Kidurong and Samalaju.

Yesterday (May 22), he said the proposed Pan Borneo Railway project in Bintulu could be developed through a joint venture financing model. — DayakDaily