By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 28: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Sarawak has gained valuable insights into China’s best practices for road, bridge, and tunnel construction in regions with comparable geographical and environmental challenges, particularly in highland and peatland areas such as the Bario Highlands, Baram, Lawas, and Sebuyau regions.
A delegation led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, conducted a working visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province on Monday (Oct 27), to strengthen the ministry’s technical knowledge and understanding of infrastructure development in challenging terrains.
The visit aligns with Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to enhance regional connectivity under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
The delegation was warmly received by CCCC Southwestern Headquarters chairman Chen Ning, and CCCC International chairman Shi Yingtao, who shared China Communications Construction Company’s (CCCC) extensive global experience in large-scale infrastructure development.
Operating in 159 countries, CCCC has maintained a strong presence in Malaysia for over three decades, completing more than 90 projects worth over USD20 billion.
In Sarawak, CCCC has successfully delivered key infrastructure projects, including the Jambatan Taib Mahmud in Jepak, Bintulu, and is currently involved in the Miri Port Training Bund in Kuala Baram and BCCK 2 projects.
During the visit, the delegation observed major infrastructure projects such as the Ya’an–Kanding and Ya’an–Xichang Expressways, which employ environmentally sensitive engineering techniques including tunnels and elevated roadways. These approaches preserve natural landscapes, enhance safety, and minimise ecological impact, practices that could be adapted for Sarawak’s own diverse terrain.
In a media release, Uggah emphasised that the visit provided a crucial learning opportunity for Sarawak’s infrastructure development agenda.
“As we expand connectivity into highland and remote regions, our approach must remain responsible, ensuring that progress goes hand in hand with environmental care and community well-being,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the Sarawak’s infrastructure initiatives will continue to uphold the PCDS 2030 pillars of social inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity.
The working visit also includes engagements with Sichuan provincial authorities to learn about project planning, monitoring, and policy implementation practices.
This visit underscores Sarawak’s commitment to strengthening technical capacity and adopting sustainable, world-class infrastructure practices in pursuit of a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous state.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Ministers Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo and Datuk Majang Renggi, permanent secretary of MIPD Datu Chiew Chee Yaw, and Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Datu Ir Dr Cassidy Morris. — DayakDaily
