KUTS Phase 1 slightly behind schedule, says minister
Lee (left) and ministry permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng go through the winding-up speech prior to the start of the sitting.
KUCHING (May 27): Phase 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) has achieved 29.89 per cent actual progress as of April this year, slightly behind the actual estimated progress of 33.86 per cent for the month, the august House was told yesterday.
The Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin attributed the delay to the complexity and scale of the infrastructure works involved, which include extensive engineering and coordination efforts across multiple project sites.
Despite this, he assured that construction is progressing steadily and remains aligned with Sarawak's broader goal of implementing a modern, green public transport system powered by clean hydrogen energy.
'KUTS, a flagship initiative under Sarawak's land transport transformation agenda, also supports the National Green Investment Strategies and the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
'To date, six infrastructure packages under KUTS have been awarded. Two have already been completed which is the Advanced Ground Foundation Works for the Rembus Depot, and a 3km stretch in Samarahan essential for the Proof of Concept trial run,' he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry.
Lee said the remaining four packages—Rembus Depot Infrastructure Package, Blue Line Package 1, Blue Line Package 2, and the Red Line Package—are currently under construction.
'Preparations for the tendering of the Green Line infrastructure package are also underway,' he added.
Apart from that, he highlighted national efforts complementing Sarawak's green mobility agenda, particularly the RM15 million Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station pilot project launched in Putrajaya.
Lee also noted that the transport sector currently contributes about 16.3 per cent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
'This pilot project, alongside Sarawak's progressive hydrogen agenda, reinforces Malaysia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and supports our vision of becoming a regional hub for hydrogen mobility,' he said. DUN sitting Kuching Urban Transportation System Lee Kim Shin project delays
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