Batu Kawa eyes 12km ART Yellow Line to serve over 300,000 potential riders

Dr Sim (front row, second right) together with Abang Johari (front row, centre) and other distinguished guests in a photo with attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony of Batu Kawa-Stephen Yong road project at Moyan on Nov 11, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Nov 12: The proposed 12-kilometre expansion of Sarawak’s Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system to Batu Kawa, designated as the Yellow Line, could serve more than 300,000 potential riders, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said.

He said the proposed expansion was crucial as Batu Kawa continued to experience rapid population growth and development, increasing the need for better public transportation and connectivity.

“2030, Batu Kawa in the next leap. We want the Yellow Line under ART, which the Premier has agreed in principle last year,” he said.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Batu Kawa-Stephen Yong road project at Moyan on Wednesday (Nov 11), Dr Sim said Sarawak Metro had begun working on the proposal, with four possible options being studied.

“About 12 kilometres, and the study found that there are more than 300,000 riders or potential people who can use that metro. So, this is the next five years. And that’s how important it is,” he said.

Dr Sim, who is Batu Kawah incumbent, said the proposed ART expansion would complement other infrastructure developments needed to accommodate Batu Kawa’s rapid growth.

He also highlighted the need for more affordable housing, citing the overwhelming demand for the Kampung Segedup housing project, which offers more than 1,000 units but received about 10,000 applications.

“That’s why I try to negotiate with Datuk Ibrahim Baki to give more,” he said, referring to the Satok incumbent.

Dr Sim identified two potential sites for future housing development, namely 82 acres of State land in Rantau Panjang, which could accommodate 1,562 units, and 17 acres in Kampung Sadong, with capacity for another 600 units.

He said the proposed developments would cater to residents not only in Batu Kawa but also surrounding communities.

On road connectivity, Dr Sim said he hopes to an inner ring road being developed within the next five years, linking Kampung Segedup, Sungai Sarawak and Kampung Sejijak.

“The proposed route would include a third bridge across Sungai Sarawak to help disperse traffic and ease congestion in Batu Kawa.

“Hopefully also the fourth bridge will be from the new road that we are building all the way to Siniawan, across Sungai Sarawak Kanan. So, there will be four bridges,” he said.

Dr Sim added that the Matang-Batu Kawa road corridor also needed upgrading to accommodate increasing traffic in both directions.

Explaining the State’s development direction, he attributed Sarawak’s ability to undertake major infrastructure projects to political stability and unity, which had allowed Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to focus on generating revenue and planning for the State’s future.

“We must thank the Premier. Premier said ‘We don’t promise, but we deliver. We deliver.’,” he said.

Dr Sim defended Sarawak’s decision to proceed with the ART system, responding to criticism over its cost and earlier claims that Sarawak could face financial difficulties under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration.

“Last time, what did they (critics) say? Sarawak bankrupt under GPS. Then later on, they said Sarawak would be bankrupt if we did not drop LRT. Now is ART. Bankrupt or not? No,” he said.

He accused political opponents of repeatedly changing their criticisms of the State’s development plans.

“They want Sarawak backwards. They don’t want Sarawak to progress, otherwise they cannot complain,” he said.

Dr Sim said Sarawak’s development agenda extended beyond transportation and road infrastructure to include electricity subsidies, the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) and free tertiary education.

“We are into Sarawak nation-building… electricity subsidy, SKAS, ART, free tertiary education, and we don’t promise, but we deliver,” he said.

With Sarawak election scheduled for Dec 12, Dr Sim called on Sarawakians to support the continuity of the State’s development agenda.

“So, I hope the rakyat in Sarawak deliver us, ‘jangan ubah’ (don’t change) us. I hope the rakyat in Sarawak on Dec 12 (polling day) deliver GPS!,” he added. — DayakDaily