Sarawak:The proposed Trans-Borneo Railway project will include a primary alignment in Sarawak, linking significant population centers, industrial areas, and major seaports throughout the state, as announced at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil stated that the main alignment will broadly cover the Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri divisions. The railway will then extend into Brunei before re-entering Sarawak via the Limbang division.
The feasibility study, which supports the federal government's ambitious regional project, confirmed the technical feasibility and strategic importance of the railway. It also proposed seamless connectivity to key economic gateways, including Kuching Port, Tanjung Manis Port, Bintulu Port, Samalaju Port, and Miri Port. The railway aims to enhance connectivity between major population centers, industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics nodes across Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Dr. Jerip, responding to Datuk Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) during a question-and-answer session, highlighted the study's findings on potential rail linkages extending into Kalimantan, Indonesia, to further regional economic integration. To manage the scale of the cross-border network, the study recommends a phased implementation approach to ensure smooth execution and financial viability.
Priority corridors will be determined based on local demand, strategic importance, economic development impact, affordability, fiscal capacity, development readiness, land and right-of-way conditions, and funding availability.
The comprehensive feasibility study was conducted by the federal Ministry of Transport and completed on August 7. Its findings were presented to the Steering Committee, and the federal government is currently reviewing the final report, focusing on funding responsibilities, project governance, land requirements, and the appropriate implementation framework.