RM386 mil Btg Saribas 2 Bridge delayed, Deputy Premier issues ultimatum to contractor

Uggah (second left) and Dr Cassidy (left) at one of the completed piers of the Batang Saribas 2 Bridge project. (July 1, 2024)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 1: The construction of the RM386 million Batang Saribas 2 Bridge has hit a snag, causing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah to issue an ultimatum to the contractor.

Calling it a ‘problematic project’, Uggah said despite the given time extension, the construction is still delayed by 34 days.

“This is a problem project we are trying to manage. The contractor faces worker and machinery shortages while some work that needs to be done has not been done.

“So the Public Works Department (JKR) has today given them two weeks to resolve these issues, and we monitor the development very closely. If they can fix them, we will be very happy; otherwise, we will have to decide on the next course of action.

“We may need to initiate the process of contract termination following our existing rules and regulations. We are serious in trying to stop sick projects,” said Uggah, who is also Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, after attending a briefing by JKR director Dr Cassidy Morris and inspecting the site today.

The construction of the bridge, the third longest in Sarawak at 2.39 kilometres, has been undertaken by a joint venture company by a Chinese company and a local company.

Uggah, however, expressed satisfaction that the number of sick projects in Sarawak has been greatly reduced as compared to before.

He said Sarawak have many responsible contractors, and it was his hope they would carry on with a positive attitude.

Sarawak, he said, needs to be strict with contractors to ensure that all projects progress according to schedules and are completed on time.

Completing in accordance with scheduled dates is even more important now that JKR Sarawak is expected to manage more projects to come.

“Besides our own normal development projects, we are managing the federally funded projects and, in addition, those from our nine regional development agencies.

“Thus, we cannot really spare the rod against those errant contractors,” said Uggah, who highlighted that completed projects would mean a lot to those benefiting from these projects.

Meanwhile, he also pointed out that the construction process is also a mechanism for the government to inject its resources into the local economy.

“The multiplier effects are tremendous through job and business opportunities. So, in a nutshell, it is JKR’s task to see all projects are implemented and completed as scheduled,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily