Sarikei

The New Batang Sadong Bridge

PAN BORNEO HIGHWAY

Exploring Sarawak during the last school holidays was a great experience.

This time I flew with Malaysia Airlines and my mom was with me. Her first Kuching trip....MH service is improving. Alhamdulillah.

I decided to drive from Kuching to Sibu. To me it was the 1980s view in Peninsular Malaysia. Not much difference then if I drive from Seremban to Penang via the old federal road. It was the same view when driving from Kuching to Sibu.

However I noticed that Pan Borneo Highway is slowly progressing.

Watching the fierce Rejang river flow in Sibu was a blessing.

Lunch at Sarikei mosque (brought home food all the way - day one) was a BLESSING. In 1982 I got to know a pen pal from Sarikei  from a radio program. We keep in touch for about a year. Anyway she invited me to her hometown Sarikei.  I told her I will go to Sarikei one day.

Although we have lost contact I've honored my promise to go to her hometown.

I wish her well with her husband, family and grandchildren.

Anyway upon arriving in Sibu, I decided to drive to Bintulu the next day.

Alhamdulillah that is all I can say. I'll be 50 In Sha Allah on Nov 4th. Thank you Allah for giving me the health and  pleasure to drive long distance again (just like driving from Saskatoon to Thunder Bay Canada)

I understand the next town after Bintulu is Miri. And from Miri to Limbang and Lawas we must drive via Brunei. That is really weird.

I suggest that Pan Borneo Highway make some kind of short cut or new road from Miri to Lawas the border town before entering Sabah. Also there must be many rest and relax areas. Since in Sabah and Sarawak, Muslims accounted to Not More than 50% then I suggest at every R&R a Muslim food area and surau (prayer room) be designated. To have ONLY MUSLIM food courts at Pan Borneo Highway will not be practical. (Only an idea)

Why must I go through various posts if I am driving from Miri to Lawas? My international  passport IS NOT WITH ME if I am flying to Sabah or Sarawak. Think I will fly to Brunei...

Hope the Najib and Abang Johari administration will take note on this matter.

One thing which still make me nervous was when approaching Betong.  In the 1980s Betong was a black area where the bulk of Communist Party of Malaya  members was based. At present Betong is still green with jungles....can't imagine Betong in 1980s.

Crossing the new bridge at Batang Sadong river near Simunjan was unforgettable. (seeing crocodiles swimming here and there)

I look forward  to flying to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu again.