BINTULU: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg delivered a moving tribute to his late wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, during the official launch of the newly renamed Jambatan Tun Taib Mahmud last night.
While officiating the launch of the iconic RM466.7 million Bintulu–Jepak Bridge, the Premier reflected on the personal sacrifice and quiet support his late wife gave throughout his decades of public service.
“Only one person is not here to witness this bridge, even though Bintulu was her birthplace — my late wife. But Allah loved her more. Tonight, I brought my daughter to witness the opening of this iconic bridge in Bintulu, the birthplace of my wife. May her soul rest among the righteous,” said Abang Johari in front of a large crowd at the riverside event.
The Premier’s touching words added a heartfelt moment to the historic occasion, which celebrated the completion and naming of the bridge in honour of Sarawak’s longest-serving Chief Minister and former Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“As Premier, and before that as Minister, I had to divide my time between the people and my family. Thankfully, my wife made sacrifices, allowing me to serve the people. That was her contribution,” he shared.
“She didn’t get to see the bridge tonight, but she knew we were going to build it.”
The cable-stayed bridge spans the Kuala Kemena River and connects Bintulu town to Jepak. It stands as a promise fulfilled by the Premier, who had announced the plan during a 2017 town hall session in Bintulu following the passing of his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
“I promised to build an iconic bridge like the one in San Francisco. Tonight, that promise has been fulfilled.”
Jambatan Tun Taib Mahmud is now Sarawak’s third-longest bridge, after Jambatan Batang Lupar (4.3km) and Jambatan Muara Lassa (2.3km), further reinforcing the state’s ongoing infrastructure transformation under Abang Johari’s leadership. — UKAS
