KUCHING, Nov 12 — Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday night announced that the new bridge across Sarawak River here is named as the Darul Hana Bridge.
He made this announcement during the official opening of the bridge worth RM35 million, at the Kuching Waterfront here tonight.
Abdul Taib in his opening speech explained that the name, Darul Hana, means a place of peace and tranquillity, in Arabic.
“Without this bridge, the beauty of Kuching will seem incomplete. The bridge connects the two parts of the city. The idea to build the bridge reflected what we see in the olden days when we witnessed the beauty of Kuching,” he said.
Also present were his wife, Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib; Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Datin Patinggi Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
The function was also attended by state ministers, state assemblymen and visitors from all walks of life.
Meanwhile Abang Johari, in his speech, said the inauguration of the bridge also marked the success of the construction mooted by Abdul Taib and hoped it would attract more tourists to the state.
This unique 336-metre S-shaped pedestrian bridge is supported by two cables that are 45 metres high from two 48-degree outward angled steel towers topped out with stylised hornbills, denoting the emblem of Sarawak.
It connects Kuching City North with the southern part of the city, providing an alternative route to the residents of both areas.
For the record, the project was launched by Abdul Taib in August 2013, while serving as chief minister, in conjunction with Sarawak golden jubilee independence celebration within Malaysia. — Bernama
