Sarawak gov’t denies victimisation, discrimination against China firms

Uggah (4th left), Xing (5th left) and others photographed during a visit to Batang Lupar Bridge project site on Jan 22, 2024.

BETONG, Jan 22: The impression that the Sarawak government victimises or discriminates against firms from China involved in big infrastructural projects in the State is not true, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said such impression came about following the recent termination of previous contractor handling the construction of the Batang Rambungan Bridge in Kuching.

“A firm from China was involved in the construction of this ‘sick’ project,” he told the media after visiting the construction site of Batang Saribas 2 Bridge in Beladin here today.

Uggah who is the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) also visited Batang Lupar 1 Bridge and Batang Saribas 1 Bridge earlier.

Joining him were the Republic of China’s Consul General in Kuching, Xing WeiPing and MIPD permanent secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau.

Uggah explained that his ministry has always been very objective in its assessment of any contractor’s performance in the State’s projects.

“That is why today I am inviting the Consul General Xing WeiPing to join me on this visit. We want to show him how we monitor our project’s implementation progress. As a matter of fact, all these three bridge projects involve contractors from China.

“We have also informed him that should they fail to show the expected performance, there will be a time when we have to terminate their contracts like what we did in the Rambungan Bridge project. We are not victimising or discriminating against anyone.

“The Sarawak government was just imposing its regulations and laws. We want to make sure that the contractors are responsible to complete their projects on time,” he said.

On the projects, Uggah mentioned that the RM848.74 million Batang Lupar Bridge project is progressing according to the schedule and is expected to complete by November 2025.

On the other hand, the RM375.5 million Saribas Bridge 1 project is targeted to reach completion in April 2025 while the RM385 million Saribas Bridge 2 project is expected to be ready by August 1, 2025. – DayakDaily