logo
Sabah-Sarawak Link Road Phase 1 surpasses 50% completion

Sabah-Sarawak Link Road Phase 1 surpasses 50% completion

The Sun5 days ago

KUCHING: The construction of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), a vital infrastructure project designed to connect remote areas in northern Sarawak with Sabah, is progressing steadily, having reached significant milestones as of April this year.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said SSLR Phase 1 has achieved 52.27 per cent physical progress and is on schedule for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026.
'For SSLR Phase 2, construction works have commenced across all packages, involving site clearing, earthworks and drainage works.
'As of April 2025, overall physical progress stands at 0.93 per cent and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2029,' he said during the winding-up speech for his ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting here, today.
SSLR project, which aimed to provide a road network that connects Limbang, Miri, Lawas and Sabah without going through Brunei, was approved in phases by the federal government in 2021.
On the progress of Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) development, Uggah, who is also state Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development said that the project also continues to move forward, with the Miri section currently in its design stage and scheduled for finalisation by the second quarter of this year.
'Meanwhile, the procurement proposal for the Limbang and Lawas sections have been submitted to the federal's Ministry of Works for approval by the Lembaga Perolehan (LP).
'The Miri section is expected to be tendered in the third quarter of 2025, while the Limbang and Lawas sections are expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2026,' he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2 Japanese firms plan RM6.38bil projects in Sarawak
2 Japanese firms plan RM6.38bil projects in Sarawak

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

2 Japanese firms plan RM6.38bil projects in Sarawak

Sarawak deputy premier and international trade, industry and investment minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan is in Osaka, Japan, to discuss details of the investments. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Two major companies from Japan plan to invest US$1.5 billion (RM6.38 billion) in the high-tech and chemical industries in Sarawak. According to a report by TV Sarawak today, Sarawak deputy premier and international trade, industry and investment minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan is in Osaka, Japan, to discuss details of the investments. Bernama reported that one of the projects involves the construction of a semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon production facility by Japan's Tokuyama Corporation, in collaboration with South Korea's OCI Company Ltd. The investment is estimated at about US$435 million. 'This project has the potential to position Sarawak among the top five global locations in high-performance semiconductor production technology,' the report said. Another planned investment involves a consortium of Japanese companies in the chemical sector, with the investment estimated to reach US$1 billion. Feasibility studies and site evaluations on these two projects have begun. The Sarawak government will expedite the approval process for a smooth implementation. 'We offer a stable and competitive business environment, equipped with modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce,' said Awang Tengah.

Ageing farmers threaten food security, productivity, says Fadillah
Ageing farmers threaten food security, productivity, says Fadillah

Free Malaysia Today

timea day ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Ageing farmers threaten food security, productivity, says Fadillah

(From left) Energy transition and water transformation secretary-general Zaidi Karli, deputy agriculture and food security minister Arthur Joseph Kurup, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, economy secretary-general Nor Azmie Diron and chief statistician Uzir Mahidin at the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census interim report. SERDANG : Malaysia's agriculture sector is facing serious challenges because of an ageing workforce, with nearly half of the country's farmers now aged 60 and above, says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof. He said the issue is affecting productivity and the country's ability to sustain domestic food production. 'To ensure the sector's sustainability, we must attract more youths to agriculture. 'Without a skilled and competitive younger generation, our goal of reducing import dependence and ensuring national food security will be difficult to achieve,' he said at the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census interim report today. The report showed that 45.4% of individual agricultural operators are aged 60 and above, while only 22.2% are aged between 15 and 45. Another 32.3% are aged 46 to 59. Fadillah said better incentives, the use of modern technology, and efforts to improve the image of farming as a career are needed to attract younger talent. Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said Sabah recorded the highest number of young farmers, totalling 6,180, aged 15 to 30, followed by Perak (5,149) and Sarawak (3,583). For farmers aged 60 and above, Sarawak topped the list with 63,452, followed by Kedah (61,886) and Sabah (57,007). Uzir said agriculture remains a key part of Malaysia's economy, not just for food supply but also for supporting the processing industry, creating jobs and raising household incomes, particularly among farmers. He said the agriculture census will now be conducted every 10 years, with shorter, interim surveys starting in 2026 to provide more timely data. The last agriculture census was carried out 19 years ago. Also launched at the event was the TaniStats portal, which aims to improve access to agriculture-related data for farmers, policymakers and stakeholders. It includes platforms such as TaniFacts, myFoodStats, myAgrochain and the MyAgroPrice dashboard. The dashboard provides monthly price data for 60 selected agricultural products at farm, wholesale and retail levels, according to states, from 2020 to 2024. Fadillah said this would help farmers plan marketing strategies and assist policymakers in tracking price trends and designing targeted interventions. Data from the statistics department showed that Malaysia imported 60% of its food supply in 2022. Only 24 local agricultural items recorded growth in production that year, compared with 28 in 2021.

As Dayaks mark Gawai, Sarawak St John Ambulance founder calls for peace in ‘uncertain and unpredictable world'
As Dayaks mark Gawai, Sarawak St John Ambulance founder calls for peace in ‘uncertain and unpredictable world'

Malay Mail

time2 days ago

  • Malay Mail

As Dayaks mark Gawai, Sarawak St John Ambulance founder calls for peace in ‘uncertain and unpredictable world'

KUCHING, June 1 — Gawai Dayak has grown to become a powerful symbol of unity, hope, and aspiration for the Dayak community – the majority ethnic group in Sarawak. Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon, founder of St John Ambulance Sarawak, noted that Gawai was originally celebrated at different times across various longhouses and villages, marking the end of a successful harvest. 'The ethnic Dayak community then decided to celebrate the event on one day; thus, it's celebrated by all as the most important day by all different Dayak groups. 'It is now one of Sarawak's important gazetted holidays,' he said in his Gawai Dayak message. Ang expressed pride in the Dayak community's achievements and their significant contributions to Malaysia's development and prosperity. However, he also reminded the public that the Covid-19 pandemic is 'still far from over.' 'Some global communities have decided 'to live with the virus' after the majority of the people have been fully vaccinated. 'Still, while we are reopening, I am sure that we will still continue to be careful and vigilant,' he said. Ang went on to lament the continued existence of wars, conflicts, and unrest in many parts of what he described as 'an uncertain and unpredictable world'. 'The people suffer untold miseries and sufferings, especially the most vulnerable: the poor, the sick, the children, the seniors and underprivileged. 'All countries should ideally consider devoting their funds, time and energy to make life safer, happier and more bearable for everyone in this rather difficult, troubled and tumultuous world, instead of production of lethal weapons, especially nuclear weapons with the capacity to destroy the human kind,' he said. He added that universal peace and happiness could be achieved if all nations committed to total disarmament. Trillions of dollars currently spent on arms could instead be used to improve living standards across the globe, he added. 'That will be the day to celebrate.' The universal day of peace Ang also highlighted global inflation and threatening famine caused by geopolitical tensions should be addressed immediately. The much feared climate change and its ill effects on humankind, flora and fauna and the environment is a monumental issue, he said. 'We see such ill-effects already even within our own country as torrential rains and serious floods seem to be occurring with greater frequency,' he said. Intense forest fires caused by prolonged droughts are affecting nations like the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia, and in the Philippines, typhoons continue to grow in intensity year after year, he said. 'As we celebrate another Gawai festival, let us be reminded again to celebrate in moderation. 'Both humans and Planet Earth must stay healthy for their own sake and that of future generations. 'God bless our people, God bless our country. 'Selamat Ari Gawai, Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai! Selamat hari Kaamatan.' — The Borneo Post

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store