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By Lian Cheng and Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 14: Sarawak, which is developing fast requires more players in the cement industry as the existing one and only player has failed to meet the need of the State’s construction sector.
Admitting this, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said to reduce the risk of total dependence on a single supplier, it is imperative to create a healthy competitive environment – that new blood be injected into Sarawak’s cement industry.
“The cement supply chain of Sarawak needs to be strengthened,” said Abang Johari during the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Innocement Sdn Bhd with SCG International and YTL Cement Berhad held at Grand Margherita Hotel here today.
He stressed that demand for cement in Sarawak has surged and will continue to remain high as a total of 960 projects, in various stages of completion, with a total value of RM45.967 billion has been allocated for Sarawak’s infrastructure development.
This includes the major infrastructure projects that have been implemented such as the Pan Borneo Highway, the Coastal Road, the Second Trunk Road, the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road, the Trans Borneo Highway and other projects under development agencies as well as people’s projects.
Apart from these infrastructure projects identified by the Sarawak government, there are also those financed by the Federal government amounting to RM3 billion.
“All these projects will help to enhance living standards and the State’s economy, creating more business and employment opportunities for all Sarawakians,” said Abang Johari.
He added that these are only government projects. There are also construction projects from the private sector which have yet to be included in Sarawak’s overall construction value.
As such, he said Sarawak needs reliable and adequate supply of construction material to ensure the timely completion of all these projects.
“Delays would result in Sarawakians, especially for critical projects such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
“Shortages and disruption of supplies tend to result in escalation of prices to the point that budgets need to be revised and additional funds required,” said Abang Johari.
Pointing out that cement is basic to construction as rice to Sarawakians’ daily need, he said cement accounts for three to seven per cent of construction.
Amongst those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment (MINTRED) Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain; YTL Cement Berhad director Joshua Yeoh; managing director Dato Sri Michael Yeoh; Innocement Sdn Bhd chairman Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; chief executive officer Suhadi Sulaiman; Siam Cement Group (SCG) executive vice president Thammasak Sethaudom; and SCG International managing director Abhijit Datta. — DayakDaily
