Batang rajang: The new ferry service, capable of carrying up to 24 vehicles at a time at the Nanga Tulie crossing, Batang Rajang, is expected to facilitate the daily movement of residents in the Kapit Division when it is completed. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also the Kapit Member of Parliament, said the project costing RM23.5 million is a Sarawak state government initiative to provide safer, more orderly, and efficient transportation facilities for the residents.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposed One Ferry 24-Car Operation project at the Nanga Tulie crossing includes the construction and completion of ferry landing facilities. "For the people in Kapit, the river is not just for the view but a lifeline that connects them to workplaces, schools, service centres and agricultural areas," Linggi stated in a Facebook post after officiating its groundbreaking ceremony.

He emphasized that as a Kapit native entrusted with representing the area since 1999, efforts to ease the daily journey of the rural community have always been among his priorities. The project is expected to benefit 33 longhouses from Nanga Tulie to Pekan Merit, in addition to facilitating the movement of students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Nanga Encheremin and SK Ulu Pelagus.

Linggi highlighted that the facility will not only improve the transportation system but also expedite the daily affairs of the community, including transporting agricultural produce, delivering essential goods, and facilitating travel to schools, workplaces, and service centres. He also noted that the facility has the potential to open up more economic opportunities for the residents.

The project will be implemented by Rambungan Maju Sdn Bhd through a design and build approach. Linggi added that the ferry service will later charge a fee of RM1 per trip to ensure that the facility can be enjoyed by rural communities at a low cost.