Rohani Abdul Karim (BN-PBB)
Last 05 May, 2015 Election Result:
1. Rohani Abdul Karim (BN-PBB) : 15,625 votes
2. Abg Zulkifli Abg Engkeh (PR-PKR) : 4,661 votes
Like most rural constituencies, Batang Lupar’s 30,000 odd residents rely on farming and fishing for their livelihood. The emphasis by the BN Government on rural development has seen some positive changes to the infrastructure and education in the Malays, Ibans and Chinese mixed areas.
These include the Stumbin-Lingga road upgrading, water supply extension work in Beladin, drainage improvement work and the coming into being of SMK Beladin.
Among the agricultural initiatives for the locals are Batang Lupar Agropolitan Project in Lingga, cockle breeding scheme at Sungai Sebangan and Sungai Meludam and a pineapple plantation project. The Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency comprises the state seats of Sebuyau (N. 27), Lingga (N. 28) and Beting Maro (N.29) which are represented by Julaihi Narawi (BN-PBB), Simoi Peri (BN-PBB) and Razali Gapor (BN-PBB) respectively.
Currently, all the three state constituencies are connected via ferry. All are waiting in much anticipation for the ground breaking Lupar Bridge, which will take over the Batang Sadong Bridge as the longest bridge in the state. Continuous efforts have been done to speed up the construction of the bridge. When completed, it will greatly improve the economic activities of the people as travel time is shortened significantly.
The initial cost of the bridge is RM1 billion, which will be shared between the federal and state governments on a 50-50 basis. Its tender however is expected to be issued sometime in 2018. According to Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the project has already reached the approval-by-principal stage.
Consultants have also been appointed to carry out studies on the project. Fadillah stated that the time frame for construction of the bridge would be dependent upon the complexity of the project. Some of the challenges that will be faced are the length of the bridge itself, which is about 5.1 kilometres to be built above strong water currents.
An indepth marine risk study will determine the method that will be used for the construction of the bridge. In the meantime, these areas could only be reached via the coastal road which takes between two and a half hours to five hours to go through the Kuching-Beladin route.
The first Sebuyau-Triso ferry was established back in 2013, launched by Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong who was then the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication. The ferry, costing some RM5 million, has a capacity of 15 cars per trip and is also the ninth of such service in the state operated by the Public Works Department.
Each return trip would take one hour and 20 minutes, causing many vehicle users to wait for a long period of time if they miss an earlier ferry.
Batang Lupar’s current Member of Parliament, Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim announced the completion of another ferry in May 2016. However, these two ferries are considered temporary in nature as the Batang Lupar Bridge will be constructed over the Batang Lupar estuary. Ferry services in the state require about RM4.5 million annually to maintain.
Lingga Assemblywomen Simoi Peri stressed that Batang Lupar Bridge would be a game changer as it would bring tremendous benefits to the people of Maludam and Beladin. Presently, many have to travel to Betong first before proceeding to other areas such as Kota Samarahan and Kuching.
of Batang Lupar.
