The Story of the Sultan Idris Shah II Bridge in Bota, Perak

The Sultan Idris Shah II Bridge in Bota acts as a backbone for the state of Perak, serving as a vital artery connecting two rapidly developing locations. Today, Ipoh and Manjung have transformed into thriving towns and cities, experiencing significant economic and population growth every year.

The construction cost for the Sultan Idris Shah II Bridge in Bota was $1.1 million. The bridge was built to provide a shortcut for the Ipoh-Lumut-Ipoh route and to facilitate the daily affairs of the local residents. The bridge was named after the late Sultan Idris Shah II (the 33rd Sultan of Perak), who reigned from 1963 to 1984. One year after the late Sultan Idris Shah II began his reign, the bridge connecting the Ipoh-Lumut-Ipoh route across the Perak River was completed and officially inaugurated by him in January 1964.

In 1964, the 1,300-foot-long bridge in Bota was the longest bridge in the state of Perak at the time. It stood majestically, becoming a major attraction and a source of pride for the people of Perak Tengah.

Unfortunately, Perak Tengah was not spared from the massive floods that hit the state of Perak in January 1967. The flood destroyed the bridge that had stood firmly for three years.

The flood that brought down the bridge was no ordinary flood. It carried logs drifting from the upper reaches of the Perak River downstream. This situation caused the original Sultan Idris Shah II Bridge in Bota to collapse by nearly 77%. Only 300 feet of the bridge remained standing in the middle of the river.

Demolition work on the remaining parts of the old bridge began in February 1971. In 1972, at the same location as the collapsed structure, plans were finally set in motion to build the new bridge we see today, with a development cost of $3.1 million.

Sources and references:

• Berita Harian, 18 June 1968
• Official Parliamentary Report - Third Parliament, Second Session, 23 August 1972 (p. 3124)
• Official Parliamentary Report - Fourth Parliament, First Session, 23 July 1975 (pp. 1627 - 1628)