By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 11: The Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak has been given a key performance indicator (KPI) of ensuring zero disruption to utility services throughout the construction of the Batu Kawa-Stephen Yong road project, which is expected to be completed in February 2029.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said JKR Sarawak, the project consultant and contractor must prioritise utility coordination to prevent incidents such as burst water pipes and power outages during construction.
He said the department must work closely with relevant agencies, including Sarawak Water, Sarawak Energy and telecommunications companies, to identify existing utility lines and address potential conflicts before construction work proceeds.
“I am setting a KPI for JKR and the contractors: zero disruption to utility services. I do not want to hear about burst water pipes or power outages.
“That will be your first task, Dato Dr Cassidy Morris (JKR Sarawak director) because these are issues that have repeatedly occurred during our construction projects,” he said when speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Moyan today.
Uggah said lessons from previous infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of Jalan Matang, should be applied to avoid similar problems.
He recalled that construction work along Jalan Matang had encountered issues involving Sarawak Energy, prompting him to personally join the utility company and contractors on site to identify the locations of electricity lines.
He said the approach proved effective in preventing further power disruptions and should be replicated for the Batu Kawa-Stephen Yong project.
“When such incidents happen, the villagers do not blame the contractors; they blame GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak).
“Therefore, this approach has proven effective, and I am confident we should adopt the same method for this project. We must go on the ground together, identify potential issues and ensure that unnecessary disruptions to the public are avoided,” he said.
Uggah also called on JKR Sarawak, the consultant team and contractor to pay close attention to construction progress, site safety and traffic management to ensure the project is delivered smoothly and efficiently.
The RM207.88 million project, fully funded by the Sarawak government, involves the construction of a 5.664-kilometre dual-carriageway connecting the Batu Kawa-Matang (Sungai Moyan) junction to the Stephen Yong Road junction.
The new road, designed to U3 standards with two lanes in each direction, will provide an alternative route for residents of Batu Kawa, Matang and surrounding areas.
Its scope includes two reinforced concrete bridges, with one crossing Sungai Moyan and another crossing Sungai Sarawak Kiri, alongside culverts, drainage systems, street lighting, signalised intersections, access roads and utility relocation and protection works.
Uggah said the construction period was 36 months, beginning on Feb 11, 2026, with completion scheduled for Feb 10, 2029.
He expressed appreciation to the contractor, Toyugi Builders Sdn Bhd, for its performance, noting that the project had recorded 12.03 per cent physical progress against a scheduled progress of 3.6 per cent.
He said the government hoped construction would continue without major setbacks and be completed as quickly as possible, in line with public expectations.
Upon completion, the road is expected to improve connectivity between Batu Kawa and Stephen Yong Road, ease traffic congestion along existing routes and support further development in the Batu Kawa and Matang growth corridors. — DayakDaily
