BARIO – The upgrading works at Bario STOLport have reached 65 percent completion, with the RM27 million project expected to be fully delivered by October this year.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office (Construction, Immigration and Project Management), Datuk Gerawat Gala, confirmed that the project is progressing well and is being closely monitored.
He explained that the works involve extending the runway from 665 metres to 930 metres, alongside the construction of a perimeter fence and other supporting infrastructure.
The expansion is designed to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Twin Otter, which can carry up to 19 passengers.
This improvement is expected to enhance connectivity for Bario residents and neighbouring communities such as Ba’ Kelalan, providing safer and more reliable air services.
Datuk Gerawat, who is also the Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman, emphasised that the project will significantly benefit rural populations, particularly the elderly, by strengthening the air transport network in Sarawak’s interior.
He noted that improved facilities will support economic growth, trade opportunities and community development.
The project has also been highlighted as essential for ensuring smoother flight operations, with better scheduling and reduced disruptions.
Datuk Gerawat mentioned that flight times between 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm had previously posed challenges, but the upgrades will help address such issues.
On 16 June, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, visited Sapit and later joined delegates at STOLports in Ba’ Kelalan and Bario.
The visit included representatives from the Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS), the Public Works Department (JKR) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), who provided updates on the project’s progress and future plans.
JKR Sarawak explained to local residents that the project promoters are committed to ensuring timely completion.
Meanwhile, MAHB confirmed that user capacity at Ba’ Kelalan STOLport will also be expanded, with improvements to terminal facilities and airport operations.
Senior officials present included MOTS Permanent Secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng, Mohd Radzuan Mazlan from the Malaysian Transport Ministry’s Aviation Unit, MOTS technical assistant Sio Yew Hua, MOTS aviation officer Dayang Nurhayati, and MAHB’s Borneo operations manager Jefri Ramli.
The Bario STOLport upgrade is part of a wider effort to improve rural connectivity in Sarawak, ensuring that remote communities remain linked to the rest of the state.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide lasting benefits for residents, businesses and travellers alike.
