By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 17: Geotechnical clearance must act as the mandatory operational gatekeeper for civil infrastructure as no project design or implementation can proceed without prior subsurface validation, says Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) Director Datu Dr Cassidy Morris.
He noted that the inaugural staging of the Malaysian Regional Geotechnical and Engineering Conference (MRGEC) 2026 marks a historic milestone as the first dedicated national platform of its kind established for the sector.
“The presence of over 500 participants this year proves that the geotechnical industry is not a small sector; it is highly significant to the development of Malaysia because whenever we want to start a project, the first group to handle it is the geotechnical group,” he said during his welcoming address today.
Dr. Cassidy explained that the conference serves as a critical continuation of strategic inter-agency collaborations, following a recent joint initiative held in Santubong between regional stakeholders.
He highlighted that the primary driver behind the platform is the need to navigate the varied and severe geographical obstacles across Malaysia’s states.
“In Sarawak, we face challenges like hilly terrain, peat swamps and flat terrains.
“Similarly, in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, practitioners must manage their own sets of hurdles, including mountainous terrains and tunneling works,” he detailed.
The three-day conference has brought together a diverse group of delegates, exhibitors and experts, including local university researchers and international engineering practitioners from Indonesia who will be presenting keynote addresses on sector innovations.
The conference was officiated by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. — DayakDaily
