By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 19: The ongoing construction of Hikmah Exchange Station at the former Padang Pasir parking lot in the city centre is set to serve as the main convergence point for all Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) lines, with the full transportation system targeted for completion in 2028.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg described the station as the central hub of the ART network, where the Red, Blue and Green lines will converge, allowing commuters to travel in all directions across Kuching, similar to KL Sentral.
“This means people don’t have to take the bus. They can travel using ART and hopefully there will be less traffic on the road.
“At each station, they can park their cars and take the ART,” he told reporters during a press conference at the project site today.
From Hikmah Exchange, the ART will provide access to Kuching’s city centre, including Market Street, Padang Merdeka, Carpenter Street and Padungan, while the Green Line will connect Petra Jaya and eventually extend towards Damai.
The central hub will also link to Simpang Tiga, which houses several federal offices, making it a strategic station for daily commuters and public servants.
Abang Johari said residents from Samarahan would also be able to travel into Kuching using ART for major events, including football matches at the stadium.
“We have a station near Pending, similar to London’s Paddington, which will provide access to the stadium area and surrounding facilities,” he added.
Beyond daily commuting, he said the ART will support Sarawak’s expanding business and tourism sectors, particularly with the increasing number of conferences and exhibitions held in the State.
On project progress, Abang Johari said the ART system is about 35 per cent complete, with the remaining 65 per cent still to be delivered, and the full system targeted for completion in 2028.
ART carriages are expected to arrive in stages beginning April 2026, making Sarawak the first in the region to introduce a low-carbon ART system.
However, Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) and related agencies must significantly improve their preparedness and coordination over the next two years to achieve the project’s objectives.
“This is a strategic project. I don’t want it done ‘cincai’ (haphazardly),” he said, explaining that this was why he personally came to the site instead of relying solely on reports.
Addressing concerns over surrounding village development, Abang Johari said the government does not want the area to become a problem zone similar to Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur.
“We want to retain the kampung as heritage, but in a modern way,” he said, adding that modernisation would depend on residents’ willingness, while facilities must be provided.
He also highlighted the area’s tourism potential, citing nearby heritage assets such as former railway routes, museums, historic buildings, an upcoming handicraft centre and planned tourism trails.
At the same time, Abang Johari confirmed that parking facilities at Saujana are expected to be redeveloped into a modern ART parking complex, with planning oversight by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA). — DayakDaily
