Friendship Bridge across Pandaruan River in Limbang to Brunei to spur  more mobility of people, goods and economic activities

LIMBANG: The RM20.8 million Friendship Bridgeacross Sungai Pandaruan connecting Brunei to Sarawak was jointly opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei yesterday.

This historic event marked a new era of friendship and cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia, particularly the neighbouring states of Sarawak and Sabah which are linked to Brunei by the Pan Borneo Road.

The opening of the missing link in this route will boost movement of people and goods, stimulating the economy and fostering closer relationship among the people across the border, which Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah hoped would translate into more economic cooperation and development projects for both sides.

“The opening of the bridge is much welcomed by travellers as it means the end of the long wait of three to five hours to cross the Pandaruan River by ferry during peak periods of festive seasons or school holidays,” he said when interviewed at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and his Batu Danau counterpart, agreed that it would be a shot in the arm for mobility which would open up more economic activities and opportunities.

The elected representatives said as part of the road link from Lundu in Sarawak and Tawau in Sabah, it would further boost ties between Malaysians in Sarawak and Sabah and Bruneians.

“This bridge will further boost tourism and trade between both countries which have always enjoyed good bilateral ties,” said Dr Rahman at the bridge.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Najib jointly signed a commemorative plaque and cut a ribbon in the middle of the Friendship Bridge in a symbolic gesture to open the bridge that spans across the Pandaruan River and connects the Limbang Division in Sarawak to the Temburong District in Brunei Darussalam.

The project for the 189-metre bridge started with the signing of an agreement between the Malaysian government and Brunei government on Sept 12, 2011, followed by the earth-breaking ceremony the following day, with tender called in March last year.

The project was handled through negotiations of the Joint Project Team (JPT) and Bridge Management Committee (BMC), with the JPT meeting eight times and the BMC thrice in Kuala Lumpur and Bandar Seri Begawan.

Construction by Malaysia’s Piasau Konkerit Sendirian Berhad started in May last year, and the Malaysian authorities issued the Certificate of Practical Completion on Aug 14 this year, with the approach road completed by the end of November.