The date was announced in the Sarawak Premier’s speech at Regatta Tandang Sari in Pusa on Oct 17, delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Premier, DayakDaily reported. It is a planned opening, rather than an announcement that motorists can already use the bridge.

For Pusa’s farming and fishing communities, the practical importance is access to markets: the speech linked better roads and bridges with easier movement of produce, business expansion and visits to the district. It did not put a figure on journey-time savings.

Batang Saribas 2 should also be distinguished from Batang Saribas 1, the separate crossing already in use. Travellers planning a December journey will need the final traffic-opening notice for the new bridge, not just the target date announced at the regatta.