Sarawak targets year-end pilot launch for ART service on Rembus-Northbank route, says Abang Johari

Abdul Karim (third right) officiates MPKS’s 10th Anniversary Dinner while witnessed by Aidel (second right), Abang Ismawi (fourth right). — Ukas pic via The Borneo Post 

First Published: Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 6:29 PM MYT

KUCHING, Nov 12 — Pilot operations of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) service along the initial Rembus-Northbank route are targeted to begin by the end of this year, said Caretaker Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

He said the service would further integrate Samarahan into the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), which uses ART technology as a key component of Sarawak’s modern public transport network.

“With the ART depot located in Rembus, Samarahan has become part of the main network of the modern public transportation system being developed by the Sarawak government,” he said.

His speech at the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council’s (MPKS) 10th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday was read out by Caretaker Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister and Asajaya incumbent Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abang Johari said commercial ART services would be introduced in stages following the pilot phase.

“Once operational, the system is expected to improve connectivity between Samarahan and Kuching, provide better transportation options and reduce reliance on private vehicles,” he said.

He said Samarahan’s future connectivity would also be influenced by the proposed development of a new Kuching International Airport at Tanjung Embang, Asajaya.

The proposed airport, he said, could create opportunities in the aviation, logistics, trade, tourism and investment sectors, while spurring the development of road networks, supporting infrastructure and economic activities in surrounding areas.

“Therefore, I want MPKS, together with the relevant agencies, to take into account land-use planning, infrastructure and public amenity requirements at an early stage so that the anticipated growth can be managed in an orderly manner,” he said.

Abang Johari said Samarahan, with a population approaching 200,000, would face growing demands for public amenities, transportation, infrastructure, cleanliness and a comfortable living environment as development progressed.

He said MPKS therefore had an increasingly important responsibility to ensure efficient municipal services kept pace with the area’s growth.

Also present were Caretaker Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister Datuk Aidel Lariwoo and MPKS chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali. — The Borneo Post