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MULU, June 25: The construction of the Sungai Baleh Bridge in Ulu Baram serves as a vital catalyst in strengthening the land transport network in Sarawak’s interior, thereby enhancing safety, mobility, and access to various essential services for the local community.

Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, stated that the bridge does not merely connect two riverbanks, but also serves as a link to economic opportunities, education, healthcare services, and social interaction for the community in Bario and its surroundings.

"The Sungai Baleh Bridge is more than just a physical structure connecting two riverbanks. More importantly, this bridge connects lives, economic opportunities, education, healthcare services, and social ties within the local community," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added that the bridge, which was completed in March 2026 at a cost of RM2.7 million, directly benefits 19 longhouses as well as eight government departments and agencies in the Bario area.

"In addition, six longhouses and villages, along with four government departments and agencies in the Long Banga and Long Peluan areas, also benefit from the usage of this bridge," he noted.

In a related development, the Sarawak Government continues to intensify efforts to improve infrastructure in rural areas, including through the acquisition of logging roads to be gazetted as State Roads. This will facilitate future maintenance, repair, and upgrading works.

According to him, this step will immensely benefit rural residents who have long relied on logging roads as their primary routes to towns, schools, clinics, airports, and government offices.

"Once these roads are gazetted as State Roads, the Sarawak Government will have a stronger basis to secure allocations for maintenance, repair, and upgrading purposes," he added.

He also informed that the Sarawak Government, through the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), has approved 15 road and bridge repair and replacement projects in the Baram area.

"A total of 15 road and bridge repair and replacement projects have been approved in the Baram area, with a total cost exceeding RM36 million, to address damages caused by floods, landslides, and other natural disasters," he said. – TVS