Sarawak's ART project on track with no cost overruns despite minor delays
Responding to a query from Chong Chieng Jen (DAP–Padungan) during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Lee clarified that while there had been minor setbacks in the project timeline, these delays have not led to additional expenses for the state government.
"The minor delay has not caused any cost overrun up to this stage," he said.
Minister Lee addressed concerns in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, stating that any delays caused by contractors are subject to standard contract management practices, including the submission and execution of mitigation plans.
Lee added that contractors are liable for Liquidated Ascertained Damages (LAD) in cases of delay and that they are required to submit and implement mitigation plans if delays arise to ensure project continuity and minimise disruption.
The ART project, part of Sarawak's initiative to modernise its public transportation network, spans a 52-kilometre route through Kuching and is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The project spanning Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian is reportedly expected to cost RM6 billion and may take approximately six to seven years to complete.
The state government chose the ART system as a sustainable and innovative solution to its urban transit challenges.
The first phase includes the Red Line, while the Green Line package has yet to be awarded, and the Yellow Line is planned for a subsequent phase.
The ART system will feature driverless tram-like vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, operating on dedicated trackless lanes. Each vehicle is designed to carry up to 300 passengers at speeds of up to 70 km/h.
The first phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with operations commencing in 2026.
As for the cost details of awarded packages, Lee said this information would be furnished in writing to Chong, who had submitted a formal request for a written reply.
Lee reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering the project efficiently and transparently, positioning Sarawak as a regional leader in green, future-forward public transport.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Trump's US$100m crypto mystery man
OF all the riddles wrapped in the digital wallets sending funds to President Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial crypto business, a little-known entity last month became the biggest. A venture calling itself Aqua 1 Foundation and saying it is based in the United Arab Emirates announced in late June that it had bought US$100 million worth of World Liberty's crypto tokens, becoming the largest publicly known investor in the business. Yet a review by Reuters of corporate registries, Aqua 1's digital profile and other public information reveal almost nothing about the source of its capital or the person it named as its founding partner, Dave Lee. Reuters could not find a way of contacting Lee directly. An Aqua 1 press release listed an email for a person named Dora Lee as a media contact. In response to a Reuters request, the company last month provided an unsigned statement, saying: "At this stage, we are not disclosing additional information beyond what has been publicly shared." It added: "Aqua 1 is backed by a group of long-term, mission-aligned partners and led by Dave Lee and a global team with deep expertise in web3 and digital asset infrastructure." The Trump family receives three-quarters of all token proceeds from World Liberty, meaning the purchase by Aqua 1 will have injected tens of millions of dollars into their personal coffers. The Trumps have now earned around US$500 million from World Liberty since the crypto platform was launched last fall, Reuters calculations show. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said while pursuing a pro-crypto agenda, the president has taken steps to insulate himself from his family's gains. "President Trump is dedicated to making America the crypto capital of the world and revolutionising our digital financial technology," Kelly said in an emailed statement. "His assets are in a trust managed by his children, and there are no conflicts of interest." The identities of nearly all of the million-dollar buyers of the World Liberty tokens, which go by $WLFI, are hidden behind anonymous digital wallets. The personal and business backgrounds of several of the top buyers of the tokens, however, are widely known. These include China-born investor Justin Sun, who with a US$75 million investment was the previous biggest publicly known buyer, and Dubai-based market maker DWF Labs, whose managing partner is Andrei Grachev, a crypto entrepreneur from Russia. Representatives for DWF Labs, which in April announced the purchase of US$25 million in World Liberty tokens, said the firm does not know Aqua 1 or Lee. Abu Dhabi's state-affiliated investment fund MGX, which chose World Liberty's crypto stablecoin for its US$2 billion investment in the Binance exchange, did not respond to a request for comment on Aqua 1, nor did Sun's company Tron. Aqua 1 had said in its June 26 announcement that World Liberty would also support its launch of a separate fund aimed at boosting the Middle East's "digital economy transformation". Aqua 1 said it would list the new fund in the Abu Dhabi Global Market financial centre. A day later, World Liberty said on social media that it was "excited to continue to build the next generation of DeFi" with Aqua 1 and Dave Lee. The Abu Dhabi financial centre, when contected, said by email: "Aqua 1 is not registered, licensed, or affiliated" with it "in any capacity". World Liberty and Trump's other crypto businesses are facing growing criticism from his US political rivals and ethics experts over their potential for influence peddling. The potential for conflicts of interest that has accompanied Trump's crypto ventures as his administration shapes regulations on the sector have also drawn criticism. In March, UAE officials committed to a 10-year, US$1.4 trillion investment plan in the US after meeting with Trump. Richard Painter, a professor at University of Minnesota's law school and former chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, said the lack of transparency on investors in the Trump family's crypto business, such as Aqua 1, undermined public confidence in the government. Without more information, Painter said, "everybody assumes the worst" in terms of foreign actors trying to influence the White House. "We ought to know who is sending money to the president," he added.
Borneo Post
16 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Churches play vital role in fostering strong, caring society, says S'wak minister
Lee (fourth left) handing over a food basket to a recipient during the charity sales programme. MIRI (July 12): Religious institutions such as churches play a vital role in shaping society, not only by providing spiritual guidance but also by strengthening families, promoting moral values, and fostering unity, said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. Speaking at the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Morsjaya Charity Sale here today, Lee underscored the church's importance in cultivating a resilient and values-driven community – an effort that aligns closely with the state government's vision of holistic human development. 'The church does more than offer spiritual support. It contributes to family building, community cohesion, and the cultivation of ethics and values. 'These are the pillars of a strong and caring society,' said Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman. The charity event was held to raise funds for a van recently acquired by the church to support its ministry and outreach activities. Commending the initiative, Lee described it as a noble effort that reflects the spirit of cooperation and empathy among the local community. He said the Sarawak government's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) supports such community-driven efforts, as the state aspires to build not just an economically resilient society, but one that is also socially and morally grounded. Lee also highlighted the vital role of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in supporting non-Islamic religious institutions across the state. He noted that RM110 million has been allocated under Unifor this year to assist with infrastructure upgrades and other support services for non-Muslim communities. 'Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia to consistently allocate significant annual funding to support religious diversity. This reflects our commitment to inclusion and mutual respect,' he said. On a related note, Lee pledged continued support for community initiatives and said his office had received several requests from the church, which he would carefully consider to determine how best to assist. He also voiced his support for the church's aspiration to establish a permanent facility that could double as a community activity centre, benefitting the wider public. 'This is not just about building infrastructure – it's about building stronger community ties,' he added. Lee also called on all Mirians to play their part in nurturing a caring and united society based on love, support, and mutual respect. During the event, he announced an allocation of RM5,000 for the church's activities, as well as RM10,000 to assist with financing the newly purchased van. The programme also saw the presentation of food baskets to senior members of the BEM congregation. Also present were BEM Miri chairman Pastor Loter Sakai; BEM Morsjaya pastors-in-charge Alan Lutu and Pastor Petrus Matias; and charity sales organising chairman Deacon Penghulu Randi Elon. BEM Morsjaya Charity Sale Borneo Evangelical Mission Lee Kim Shin miri
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak still not ready for foreign investors, says DAP rep
An assemblyman in Sarawak says many foreign investors have approached her with complaints about the investment process in the state. (Bernama pic) KUCHING : A Sarawak assemblyman has raised concerns over Sarawak's readiness to host foreign investors, despite the state being marketed as an attractive destination. Pending assemblyman Violet Yong of DAP claims many foreign investors encounter major hurdles upon their arrival. She said these include the lack of proper infrastructure and haphazard coordination among the relevant departments and agencies. Yong said many foreigners were keen on investing in the state following the hype generated by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government. 'But the problem is when they come to Sarawak, the state is not ready. There are no facilities or sufficient power to set up their operations immediately,' she told FMT, adding that many of these foreign investors had approached her with complaints. She also claimed that prospective investors were often left in the dark about basic requirements. 'The common questions are 'Where is the site for me to set up my factory? Is there sufficient power? How do I go about applying?',' she said. According to Yong, the state lacked a one-stop centre to help investors get set up. Although the state agency Invest Sarawak provided some guidance, the process remained too cumbersome and time-consuming. 'They can guide you, but the process is too tedious. 'For example, if someone wanted to set up a data centre, they would have to write to the land and survey department and after that, check if there is sufficient power supply,' she said. She added that aother hurdle is the numerous licences needed. Yong said she had been told by some potential investors that they ended up investing their money elsewhere because of the hurdles they faced in Sarawak. 'I was made to understand that they could not wait and decided to go to Penang or Vietnam,' she said, adding that she had raised the issue in May at the state assembly. Yong claimed the state government was more focused on promotion than preparing for the right facilities and processes for investors.
