logo
Sarawak allocates RM42.24 bln for 500 infrastructure projects under 12MP, says Uggah

Sarawak allocates RM42.24 bln for 500 infrastructure projects under 12MP, says Uggah

Borneo Post28-05-2025
File photo of the Jepak Bridge in Bintulu.
KUCHING (May 28): A total of RM42.24 billion has been allocated by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) for the implementation of 500 projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The State Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, the projects comprise 244 under Development Expenditure, 186 categorised as People's Projects (Projek Rakyat), while another 70 are being financed through alternative funding mechanisms.
'The overall breakdown includes approximately 301 road projects valued at RM28.03 billion, 70 bridge projects worth RM5.76 billion, 104 building projects amounting to RM3.68 billion, 23 river infrastructure projects valued at RM4.42 billion, and two airport developments with a combined cost of RM350.82 million,' he added when delivering his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He said as of now, 218 projects have been completed, 122 are under construction, and 160 remain in the pre-contract stage.
This marks a notable increase of 15 completed projects and 24 new projects that have entered the construction phase since the last DUN sitting, he said.
He also said the progress reflects the Sarawak government's strong commitment to delivering foundational infrastructure to drive economic growth and improve the well-being of its people.
He also highlighted the government's emphasis on bridge construction to enhance connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas of the state.
'To support this initiative, a total of RM4.97 billion has been allocated for the construction of 16 major bridges across Sarawak,' he said.
Five of these bridges have already been completed and opened to the public, namely the Marudi Bridge, Muara Lassa Bridge, Bintulu Jepak Bridge, Batang Rajang Bridge which is now known as Jambatan Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang Bin Tuanku Haji Othman and Batang Saribas Bridge, which opened on 25 May.
Another five bridges are expected to be completed by the end of this year. These include the Sungai Lingga Bridge, Batang Kemena (Sebauh) Bridge, Batang Igan Bridge, Sungai Limbang Bridge, and Batang Lupar Bridge.
'The remaining six which are the Batang Paloh Bridge, Batang Lupar Bridge (second phase), Sejingkat Bridge, Batang Krian Bridge, Batang Saribas Bridge (second phase), and Batang Rambungan Bridge, are scheduled for completion by 2026,' he said.
Uggah said these bridge projects represent significant progress in strengthening transportation networks and connectivity across the state.
'By 2026, all major bridges are expected to be completed, paving the way for smoother travel across Sarawak,' he said. 12mp douglas uggah DUN infrastructure projects
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nanta: Works Ministry to appoint independent auditors for highway contracts from 2026
Nanta: Works Ministry to appoint independent auditors for highway contracts from 2026

Malay Mail

time5 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Nanta: Works Ministry to appoint independent auditors for highway contracts from 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The Works Ministry (KKR) will include the involvement of independent auditors as a new component in highway maintenance contracts starting next year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said third-party auditing is important to ensure that monitoring does not rely solely on the Public Works Department (JKR), but also involves external parties to enhance accountability, integrity and transparency. He said most of the maintenance contracts will expire in February 2026. 'Without external auditors, monitoring of concession companies would rely only on JKR officers to ensure that maintenance work is properly carried out,' he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on a Bernama Radio programme today. Nanta stressed that the public has the right to safe and quality road maintenance services, and that the ministry is committed to ensuring that the transition to a new system is not only more transparent but also effective in safeguarding the interests and safety of all road users. Meanwhile, during the programme, Nanta said every highway concessionaire entrusted with road maintenance must comply with the contract and carry out their duties efficiently and responsibly. He noted that there are still parties which fail to fulfil their responsibilities despite various public complaints, including viral images and videos. 'As such, I, along with senior KKR and JKR officers, have gone to the ground ourselves to investigate and assess actual performance in the field. 'The government will re-evaluate the need to impose legal action or penalties against road maintenance contractors or concessionaires if it is proven that negligence led to fatal accidents, especially if they stem from failure to carry out required maintenance work as stipulated in the contract,' he said. Nanta added that current maintenance contracts include clauses for payment deductions if contractors fail to deliver, including on road safety aspects. 'In addition, the contract also allows for termination if the contractor fails, is negligent, violates, or does not fulfil their responsibilities in carrying out routine maintenance as required,' he said. On the MYJalan mobile application, Nanta said that between August 2023 and June 30, 2025, it recorded 39,371 complaints. Of these, 11,959, or 30.4 per cent, were screened and identified for investigation and action by relevant agencies for roads under KKR's jurisdiction, while the remaining 27,412, or 69.6 per cent, were categorised as No Wrong Door (NWD) complaints. — Bernama

Independent auditors added to highway maintenance contracts for transparency
Independent auditors added to highway maintenance contracts for transparency

The Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Sun

Independent auditors added to highway maintenance contracts for transparency

KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry (KKR) will include the involvement of independent auditors as a new component in highway maintenance contracts starting next year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said third-party auditing is important to ensure that monitoring does not rely solely on the Public Works Department (JKR), but also involves external parties to enhance accountability, integrity and transparency. He said most of the maintenance contracts will expire in February 2026. 'Without external auditors, monitoring of concession companies would rely only on JKR officers to ensure that maintenance work is properly carried out,' he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on a Bernama Radio programme today. Nanta stressed that the public has the right to safe and quality road maintenance services, and that the ministry is committed to ensuring that the transition to a new system is not only more transparent but also effective in safeguarding the interests and safety of all road users. Meanwhile, during the programme, Nanta said every highway concessionaire entrusted with road maintenance must comply with the contract and carry out their duties efficiently and responsibly. He noted that there are still parties which fail to fulfil their responsibilities despite various public complaints, including viral images and videos. 'As such, I, along with senior KKR and JKR officers, have gone to the ground ourselves to investigate and assess actual performance in the field. 'The government will re-evaluate the need to impose legal action or penalties against road maintenance contractors or concessionaires if it is proven that negligence led to fatal accidents, especially if they stem from failure to carry out required maintenance work as stipulated in the contract,' he said. Nanta added that current maintenance contracts include clauses for payment deductions if contractors fail to deliver, including on road safety aspects. 'In addition, the contract also allows for termination if the contractor fails, is negligent, violates, or does not fulfil their responsibilities in carrying out routine maintenance as required,' he said. On the MYJalan mobile application, Nanta said that between August 2023 and June 30, 2025, it recorded 39,371 complaints. Of these, 11,959, or 30.4 per cent, were screened and identified for investigation and action by relevant agencies for roads under KKR's jurisdiction, while the remaining 27,412, or 69.6 per cent, were categorised as No Wrong Door (NWD) complaints. - Bernama

Abg Jo is Sarawak's ‘Father of Infrastructure Transformation', says Uggah
Abg Jo is Sarawak's ‘Father of Infrastructure Transformation', says Uggah

Borneo Post

time10 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Abg Jo is Sarawak's ‘Father of Infrastructure Transformation', says Uggah

(From front sixth left) Uggah and Abang Johari are seen at the official opening of Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge with other dignitaries. — Ukas photo BINTULU (July 24): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been called the architect of Sarawak's infrastructure transformation. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Abang Johari's visionary leadership and financial acumen have enabled major developments across the state. 'I believe the Premier rightfully deserves the title as the 'Father of Infrastructure Transformation' in Sarawak,' Uggah said during the official opening of Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge here last night. Uggah described Abang Johari as a leader with the people at heart, who is determined to ensure that roads and bridges across Sarawak are built swiftly to spur socioeconomic growth. 'He is incredibly resourceful. Without him, I don't know where we would have gotten the funds. 'Last year alone, Sarawak recorded RM14.2 billion in income, compared to just RM6.8 billion in 2017,' he said, noting that more progress can be expected due to the Premier's strategic planning. He pointed out the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has been entrusted to implement infrastructure projects worth RM42.6 billion, all financed by the state's own funds. He noted that under the state's ongoing bridge-building programme, five bridges are completed and six more expected to be finished by 2026, including the iconic Batang Lupar 1 Bridge, which at 4.8km will be the longest in Sarawak. 'We're aiming for its completion by March 2026, but we will try our best to get it done by December 2025,' he said. On the Marina Bridge in Miri, he said it may also be completed earlier than expected, with the contractor indicating they could finish the four-year project in just three. 'By June 2026, you'll be able to drive from Kuching to Miri without relying on a ferry, a direct result of the Premier's bridge development agenda,' Uggah said. He emphasised that no other state in Malaysia is undertaking a bridge construction effort as extensive as Sarawak's with 17 major bridges currently planned or underway. 'Just now, (Minister Of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi mentioned additional bridges in Bintulu, and I heard that the Premier has approved more in Sibu and Sebuyau, which could bring the total to 20 bridges,' he said. Focusing on Bintulu, Uggah said RM1.1 billion worth of infrastructure projects are being rolled out, including the RM117.9 million new administrative centre and an RM80 million dual carriageway road from Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge to Bintulu Airport worth. 'All of these projects are fully financed by the Sarawak government. The opposition used to dismiss them as mere talk, but now they're seeing real, physical results, not just rhetoric, but proof on the ground. 'GPS doesn't just make promises, we fulfil them. That's the commitment of the GPS government under Premier Abang Johari,' he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store