EMG JV inks MoUs with local partners to develop Kuching Urban Transportation System

KUCHING (Oct 5): EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd (EMG JV) has entered into partnerships with Sarawak’s industry players, higher learning institutions and technical training centres.

The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and exchange of Letter of Intent (LoI) between EMG JV and the private and public entities took place at the Autonomous Rapit Transit (ART) assembly facility at Demak Industrial Park here recently.

The signatories of MoUs were thirteen local private firms and Bumiputera companies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, and Sarawak Skills, said EMG JV in a statement yesterday.

This collaboration, according to the official system package contractor (SPC 1) for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project, is part of Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd’s initiative for its socio-economic enhancement development (SEED) programme.

“The partnership aims to focus on leveraging the expertise among the local industry players and young talent and as the SPC1 of the KUTS project, EMG JV is committed to building strong ties with local institutions and industries,” it said.

The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) deputy general manager Rakayah Hamdan, and Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa.

Also in attendance were Mobilus Sdn Bhd chairperson Monica Lai and EMG JV chief executive officer Chan Chee Kian.

In his welcoming speech, Chan expressed his excitement for the ‘localisation strategy’ undertaken by the KUTS project, which he deemed as beneficial towards strengthening local capacity and creating new market access opportunities.

“These developments are a clear testament to our progress and dedication to developing a sustainable, local manufacturing ecosystem, and our aim is to go further by developing the local vendors.

“By doing so, we will foster a dynamic local ecosystem that aligns with our long-term goals,” he said, while announcing the company’s future plan for a complete knock-down (CKD) manufacturing here by the second quarter of 2025.

“We are also proud to have launched a Mandarin language course with Unimas as part of our project. Batch one has been completed, and we are preparing to launch batch two soon,” he disclosed.

Mazli Mustaffa, meanwhile, congratulated EMG JV on their efforts to engage local Bumiputera companies and higher learning institutions.

“By creating opportunities for local participation, we are adding greater value to the KUTS project, in line with our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision,” he said.

Besides establishing a sustainable supply chain and supporting Sarawak’s goal of becoming a developed and high-income state by 2030, this collaboration, he said, will enhance participation of local Bumiputera companies and in turn, allow for transfer of knowledge and technology.

“The partnerships have marked a key milestone in EMG JV’s vision to not only deliver a state-of-the-art transportation system but also contribute to the development of Sarawak’s technical workforce,” he said.