BETONG: The Bebuling Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLPort) is expected to be operational by November this year, which will boost tourism and economic sectors in the area.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said, for now, his party is focusing on the mechanisms that need to be fulfilled before it can be fully used.

“The cost is RM248 million where the construction works so far are on schedule.

“We believe that in November 2025, it will be ready for use and currently we are completing all the mechanisms to ensure that whatever requirements are needed will be met to enable this STOLPort to be used,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after visiting three projects here on Friday.

The three projects are Bebuling STOLPort, Betong Collection, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) and Sungai Paku Bridge which are all on schedule.

Explaining further, the Sarawak Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development said that the two main objectives of the construction of the STOLPort are to facilitate the entry of tourists and to become a centre for exporting products from nearby areas outside Sarawak.

He said that the STOLPort has two main objectives: firstly to carry passengers where several tourism products are currently being developed including in Bukit Sadok and Batang Ai.

“From here to Batang Ai, it only takes about an hour, whereby visitors can enjoy the scenery in the area.

“The second objective is for us to export products from the Agro Park where the developer who will start the project has now been determined.

“This shows that the development carried out here is not just for development purposes, but is coordinated based on certain goals,” he said.

So far, the project has reportedly reached 73.77 percent completion, where its operation will later involve Sarawak's own airline, AirBorneo.

Accompanying him on his visit to the construction site of Bebuling STOLPort were Sarawak Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development and Layar Assemblyman Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Betong Member of Parliament Dato Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Division Resident Richard Michael Abunawas, Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) Director Ir Dr Cassidy Morris and other guests of honour.-UKASnews