Latest news with #SecondTrunkRoad
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Bridge at Sejingkat expected to be completed by Feb next year, says S'wak deputy minister
The cable-stayed bridge over Sarawak River at Sejingkat is currently at 52.45 per cent completion. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 11): The 1.28km cable-stayed bridge over the Sarawak River at Sejingkat is expected to be completed by February next year, said State Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo. He said the RM365.7 million project is currently slightly behind schedule at 52.45 per cent completion. 'The project was supposed to be at 59.75 per cent completion as per the schedule but there's a slight delay due to the technical issues especially in regard to the form traveller. 'The contractor is trying very hard to solve this issue and in fact, they are already committing to deliver two sets of form traveller all the way from China to continue with the rest of the works,' he told a press conference held in conjunction with his working visit to the site of the bridge here today. In view of this, he said that the scheduled project completion has been revised to February next year. 'The contractor is committed to complete it before June next year where by then the bridge can be used by the public,' he added. He said the ministry would continue to monitor the project along with other projects under their purview. 'We do have some projects that are behind schedule, which is why we activate our monitoring team and each month, we will hold meetings with the various agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and the Land and Survey Department to resolve issues faced by the delayed projects. 'We are closely monitoring every single project in Sarawak and have given the contractors a tight schedule. 'This has enabled us to reduce the number of sick projects to less than five when compared to during the pre-pandemic, there were more than 100 sick projects,' he said. On a related matter, Aidel said the Second Trunk Road project, of which the bridge at Sejingkat is part of, is progressing very well. 'For this section, there are three packages altogether namely this bridge over Sarawak River at Sejingkat; the Tanjung Bako to Sejingkat (road project) which has already been completed; and the other adjoining section to Batang Samarahan which is still in progress and scheduled to be completed later next year. 'So, by September next year, the people will be able to use this Second Trunk Road where they can travel from Kuching to Samarahan to Batang Samarahan or from Batang Sejingkat to Batang Samarahan with no traffic congestion,' he said. For this year, he said the state is targeting to complete the Sungai Lingga Bridge next month. 'There is also the Batang Lupar Bridge in Sebuyau which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year,' he added. aidel lariwoo bridge lead sejingkat
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
Package A1A of Second Trunk Road project shows steady progress, says S'wak deputy minister
Aidel (left) during the site visit at the Package A1A section of the Second Trunk Road Package project. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 11): Package A1A of the Second Trunk Road (STR) project, comprising the new Batang Samarahan Bridge and a 9km dual carriageway to Batang Sadong, has reached 11.61 per cent completion as of today, slightly ahead of its scheduled progress of 11.43 per cent. Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, highlighting that it is 0.18 per cent ahead of schedule. 'This reflects the steady work by the contractor and a consistent supply of materials,' he told reporters after a site visit and briefing by Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) at the developer's office here today. He noted that Package A1A is a key component of the broader Second Trunk Road network, which aims to provide an alternative route for residents in coastal and interior areas currently underserved by the Pan Borneo Highway and Coastal Road Network. Aidel also visited the adjacent D3C package, a 7km single carriageway linking Batang Samarahan to Batang Sejingkat. He reported that progress there was generally on track, with actual completion at 23.09 per cent against a scheduled 23.13 per cent. 'There is a very minor delay of 0.04 per cent, but we have advised the contractor to increase their daily supply rate. 'The current rate is slightly below what is required to complete the embankment work efficiently,' he said. He further explained that the Second Trunk Road spans several administrative divisions and will eventually connect Sejingkat to Batang Sadong, Sebuyau, and onward to Betong. Once completed, the road will serve as a direct alternative route for motorists travelling between Sarawak's northern and central coastal regions. Aidel revealed that the full stretch from Batang Samarahan to Batang Sadong measures 23km, consisting of the current 9km A1A package and the upcoming 13km A1B section. 'Plans are also underway to extend a dual carriageway from Batang Sadong to Batang Lupar in Sebuyau, covering another 35km. 'This second trunk road project is designed to complement the Pan Borneo and Coastal Road networks, particularly for areas not directly served by those routes. 'Once completed, it will transform connectivity for people in these regions,' he said. He also pointed out that another key segment – a dual carriageway linking Serian, Gedong, and Samarahan – is currently under construction and expected to bolster regional integration under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). 'When this entire network is completed, including the Second Trunk Road and ongoing developments under 13MP and PCDS 2030, connectivity in this region will be significantly improved,' he said. aidel lariwoo Batang Samarahan bridge Package A1A Second Trunk Road
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
DUN passes Bill to dissolve redundant Infrastructure Development Trust Fund
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 21): The Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, 2025 was passed in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today to dissolve the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund which has been deemed redundant in view of the economic landscape today. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the trust fund, which was set up in 1985, served as a revolving fund consisting of money appropriated from time to time from the State Consolidated Fund into the trust fund for the purpose of building certain basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supplies to any development area. 'The situation then was different, the development status of Sarawak was different, and the financial system was also limited. At the time there was a need to establish this trust fund. 'But as time goes on, so did the economic landscape where there are banks that can assist developers in their programmes while at the same time, the government also has significant and strong financial capacity. 'As such, it is decided that this trust fund no longer serves its role and as such as we have to dissolve it,' he said in his third reading of the Bill at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. He gave his assurance that despite the dissolution of the trust fund, it would not affect infrastructure development in Sarawak as the fund was set for specific purposes. 'The purpose of the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund has nothing to do with our future infrastructure development plan. 'As you may have noticed, we are implementing massive infrastructure development in Sarawak such as the Second Trunk Road, coastal roads and the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak has been entrusted to implement over RM30 billion worth of projects. 'This means that even though the trust fund is dissolved, it will not affect our infrastructure development,' he said. Earlier, Uggah, who is Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, told the august House that the objective of the trust fund was to assist any individual or group of developers or investors or persons who have private undertakings to develop land for housing, commercial or industrial purpose. 'By establishing this trust fund, it would alleviate the initial heavy burden of capital outlays required for infrastructural development from developers in any approved new development plan. 'It also enabled developers to expedite and ensure the smooth implementation and cost-effectiveness of any approved development projects,' he said. He said in today's economic landscape, private developers are financially resilient and capable of undertaking development projects and stand a high chance of securing project financing from the bank. 'Furthermore, over the years, the Sarawak government has significantly strengthened our fiscal capacity, and our budget governance has become more structured and strategic, enabling more allocation for basic infrastructure development across Sarawak. 'The trust fund has served its intended purpose and is no longer relevant. As such, dissolution of this trust fund and repealing the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Ordinance, 1985 is both timely and justified,' he said.
