Sarawak Metro awards key contracts for KUTS project

KUCHING: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) has marked another significant milestone by awarding two contracts for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

Sarawak Metro in a press release said that the first contract was awarded to a joint venture (JV) company, comprising Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd and China Road and Bridge Corporation, for the construction and completion of infrastructure works for Package 2 of the Blue Line of approximately 11km.

Mazli (third left) hands over the Letters of Award (LOA) to Sarbini Hamdan from Shorefield Sdn Bhd.

The contract, valued at RM804,700,982.36, involves the construction of the Blue Line Package 2, which stretches from Stutong to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre.

Apart from constructing the dedicated at-grade and elevated lane and stations for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), the scope of work also includes road widening and other essential infrastructure enhancements.

A total of 13 tender submissions were received by Sarawak Metro at the tender closing date on July 4 this year.

Sarawak Metro also awarded the Bus Integrated System (BIS) contract to a joint venture company consisting of Shorefield Sdn Bhd, China Huaxin Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Kentkart International LLP.

The contract sum, which includes options valued at RM55,500,000 consists of the design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover of the BIS for the feeder bus service.

The hydrogen-powered feeder buses will provide the first and last mile connectivity, supporting the ART network for the KUTS project.

For this contract, the JV company will also take part in Sarawak Metro’s Socio-Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme, which among others aims to develop the local human capital and local supply chain for the modern public transport industry.

A total of five tender submissions were received by Sarawak Metro at the tender closing date on July 1 this year.

“As we move closer towards commencement of operations, we remain committed to ensuring that Phase 1 of the KUTS project is completed on time.

“We are excited to introduce a modern, reliable and efficient public transport system that will be fully completed by 2028,” said Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Ts Mazli Mustaffa during the presentation of Letters of Award (LOA) to the respective JV companies.

Sarawak Metro, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has been entrusted to develop, operate and maintain the KUTS, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak.