Bintulu-Jepak Bridge officially launched, renamed Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge
- BT
- 24 minutes ago
- 3 min read
BINTULU, 24 July 2025: The recently completed Bintulu-Jepak Bridge, which was opened to the public in March 2025, was officially launched last night by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg in a grand affair, complete with a stunning fireworks display over the new bridge.
The bridge, which costs RM466.7 million, spans 1.283KM over the Kemena River, connecting Bintulu town centre with the Jepak area, which significantly shortens travel time between the two areas from over 30 minutes to just a few minutes. During last night’s launching, the Premier also announced that the bridge is now officially renamed the Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Bridge, after Sarawak’s longest-serving Chief Minister and former Governor, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“This iconic bridge honours Taib’s contributions, particularly in the establishment of the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), laying the foundation for the development of Samalaju and attracting investments to Bintulu. If he was alive today, I’m sure he would be amazed by this bridge,” said the Premier in his launching speech.
In his speech, Abang Johari also honoured the sacrifices made by his late wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, throughout his years of public service. “Today, I brought my daughter, to witness the opening of this iconic bridge in Bintulu, the birthplace of my wife. She didn’t get to see the bridge tonight, but she knew we were going to build it.”
The Premier also recalled a town session back in 2017, held at the Bintulu Civic Centre. In the town session, he made three key promises to the people of Bintulu. The first, to build a bridge linking Bintulu and Jepak. Second, to implement a second wave of development in Bintulu and lastly to relocate the Resident’s Office and administrative centre from Bintulu town to Jepak. “Tonight, I have fulfilled those promises,” he declared, also announcing the construction of a new 4-lane road linking the bridge to the Bintulu Airport.
The new bridge, which not only connects the two sides of the Kemena River, also serves as a symbol of Sarawak’s unity and progress, and is now the third-longest bridge in Sarawak, after the 2.3KM Muara Lassa Bridge and the 4.3KM Batang Lupar Bridge.
“This bridge is a dream come true for all of us. After a decade of crossing via ferry, we long to see a bridge over the Kemena River, and now, that dream has become a reality. It will not only provide convenience to the people, but also spearhead infrastructure development on the other side of the Kemena River, especially Jepak,” shared Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi anak Utom in his opening speech.
Also in attendance at last night’s launching, Sarawak Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah as well as other distinguished guests.
