In October 2020, it was announced that a ferry service operating between Kampung Tambirat and Kampung Beliong would begin sometime in 2022.
Along with it are plans to construct new roads as well as upgrade existing ones connecting the river island comprising Kampung Beliong, Kampung Beliong Cina, Kampung Lubok Kura, Kampung Tanju Ulu, Kampung Sungai Tanju, Kampung Beradek, Kampung Beradek Cina, Kampung Semilang and Kampung Tiang Api in Asajaya District.
Villagers responded the news about the ferry service with immense delight. When RAKAN Community met residents of Kampung Beliong a few weeks after the announcement, they expressed their excitement and relief of finally having better access to the mainland and greater opportunities for land development within their locality.
Once it is up and running, they can drive their cars to their homes rather than leaving them unattended at the Tambirat jetty and travelling by sampans to cross Batang Samarahan.
These sampans, which are used by motorcyclists and cyclists as well, also transport crops and agro-based products for sale to mainly Kuching and Samarahan from Kampung Beliong and its neighbouring kampungs.
Needless to say, the ferry service will not only improve transport connectivity in the area, but also lead to a more established and systematic agriculture sector in Asajaya.
This in turn will improve the villagers’ livelihoods and support further development economically and socially within and beyond these kampungs.
A ‘Temporary Solution’ to Rural Transport Connectivity
At present, there are 12 ferry services operated by Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) across major river crossings in Sarawak; seven of which are located in coastal areas (Table 1).
As of 2021, the Sarawak Government has been allocating RM78 million annually to subsidise operations of these services, with RM66 million for the seven coastal ferries.
| Locality | Division | Ferry Capacity | Operating Hours |
| Btg. Rambungan | Kuching | 1st ferry: 24 cars 2nd ferry: 24 cars | 1st ferry: 4.00am – 12.00am 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 8.00pm |
| Btg. Lupar | Samarahan | 1st ferry: 32 cars 2nd ferry: 32 cars | 1st ferry: 4.00am – 8.00pm 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 8.00pm 3rd ferry: 8.00am – 10.00pm |
| Btg. Saribas | Betong | 1st ferry: 32 cars 2nd ferry: 32 cars | 1st ferry: 4.00am – 8.00pm 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 10.00pm |
| Sg. Krian | Betong | 1 ferry: 24 cars | 6.00am – 10.00pm |
| Btg. Paloh | Mukah | 1st ferry: 24 cars 2nd ferry: 24 cars | 1st ferry: 6.00am – 10.00pm 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 12.00am |
| Muara Lassa | Mukah | 1st ferry: 32 cars 2nd ferry: 32 cars | 1st ferry: 6.00am – 8.00pm 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 12.00am |
| Kuala Igan | Mukah | 1st ferry: 24 cars 2nd ferry: 24 cars | 1st ferry: 4.00am – 12.00am 2nd ferry: 6.00am – 8.00pm |
| Sg. Sian | Sarikei | 1 ferry: 24 cars | 5.00am – 11.00pm |
| Btg. Kemena | Bintulu | 1 ferry: 24 cars | 5.00am – 10.00pm |
| Sg. Lidan | Miri | 1 ferry: 12 cars | 6.00am – 10.00pm |
| Btg. Lawas | Limbang | 1 ferry: 12 cars | 6.00am – 10.00pm |
| Sg. Limbang | Limbang | 1 ferry: 12 cars | 5.00am – 8.00pm |
Table 1: Ferry services in Sarawak (Source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak)
As exemplified by the upcoming Beliong-Tambirat ferry service, ferries are essential modes of transport for people living along river banks as well as in the coast.
In Sarawak, these areas account for many of the rural population, who lack land accessibility and convenience needed to travel, work and basically go about their daily living.
However, even if there are ferry services in their areas, users especially frequent ones are confronted with long waiting time when utilising them, whether due to long queues or high tides, consequently interrupting their travel plans.
These services are therefore seen as ‘temporary solutions’ by the Government, especially as most of them will cease operations when various bridge projects in the State are expected to be completed by 2026.
For instance, the Batang Lupar Bridge, which is part of the Coastal Road Network, will replace the ferry service that crosses Batang Lupar from Sebuyau, Asajaya to Triso in Maludam, Pusa.
In the case of the ferry service between Kampung Tambirat and Kampung Beliong, then Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development YB Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi stated that having a bridge in the vicinity might be considered should there be more vehicles using the service and more demand from villagers for the next five years. “What is important now is to get the connectivity first, then we will consider constructing a bridge,” he added.
