Minister: Sebauh Bridge ahead of schedule with 12.67 pct progress, set for Dec 2025 completion

Uggah (third left) flanked by Dr Rundi (second left), Richard Tajan (fourth left), and Bintulu Resident Nyurak Keti (second right), posing by one of the piers being constructed.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 17: The Sebauh Bridge, which crosses the Kemena River, is moving along well, with project progress at 12.67 per cent and ahead of schedule.

According to Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, the 728.56-metre-long bridge, which costs RM74,893,670, is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025.

Uggah, who also serves as the Sarawak Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), visited the site today to check on the progress and was satisfied.

However, he expressed hope that the contractor, Hartanah Construction and Development Sdn Bhd, could complete it much earlier.

“I want it to be completed before the Christmas celebration or even earlier. Then folks here and everyone else can use it for the festive season,” the minister was quoted as saying in a press release issued today.

Uggah went on to say that based on the contractor’s previous performance, he was confident in an earlier completion date.

In addition, he predicted that Sarawak would experience dry weather in the coming months.

“I hope the contractor, with no manpower or material issue to face, will capitalise on this weather factor to speed up the construction,” he added.

The minister further stressed that the Sebauh Bridge project was once a critically delayed or sick project.

He noted that its scheduled completion had been delayed by three years and that the government had no choice but to terminate the previous contractor despite the fact that it had completed approximately 50.61 per cent of the construction.

Furthermore, the press release stated that Hartanah Construction and Development Sdn Bhd, the rescue contractor, took over the remaining work near the end of December last year.

“It was then given 24 months to deliver the project. The Public Works Department (JKR) Bintulu has been tasked to monitor its work progress,” the press release stated.

During the site visit, Uggah was joined by the Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (M-Ficord) and Kemena assemblyman Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

JKR Sarawak director Datu Richard Tajan and JKR senior officers were also present. — DayakDaily