BINTULU: The Sarawak Government will launch the second wave of Bintulu development with the main focus on the Jepak area through the construction of a new four-lane road connecting the Jepak Bridge to the Bintulu Airport.

The strategic plan was announced by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg who described the project as the main driver for the future development of Jepak which is planned comprehensively including commercial centres, modern housing and affordable housing at reasonable prices.

“After this bridge, we will develop a connecting road from the bridge to the airport, ‘Jalan Baharu Empat Lorong’.

“This will open up urban development areas including commercial centres, and housing which includes modern affordable housing at reasonable prices.

“We will also increase buildings on the Jepak side because we have space all the way to the Kuala Tatau area,” he said during his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Bintulu-Jepak Bridge Across Kuala Kemena, here on Wednesday night.

The Sarawak Premier added that the new development area will be structured with a modern urban planning approach and equipped with comprehensive basic facilities for the comfort of the people.

“This means that we are opening a new area, with a modern urban planning design including electricity and clean water facilities,” he explained.

Meanwhile, he also described the construction of the bridge as a symbol of the people's unity, especially for the village and longhouse areas which are historically located near the river.

“A bridge is a symbol of unity, which connects one place to another. Historically, the village and longhouse areas were located by the river.

“That is why we as leaders are determined that the villagers and longhouses must be fought for, with the construction of a bridge,” he said.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari further explained that the new bridge built in the Kemena area will not only become a new icon in Bintulu, but is also among six bridges built in the area as part of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government's commitment to bridging the gap between urban and rural development.

“Alhamdulillah, tonight we have built an iconic bridge in the Kemena area. Not just one bridge, but there are six bridges.

“It is not cheap to build a bridge, but we, the GPS government, will strive to increase the income of the state of Sarawak, and we will distribute it to the people through orderly development,” he added.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, heads of departments and other guests. -UKASnews