By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 12: The Sarawak government, through the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, is implementing various infrastructure projects using alternative financing methods to accelerate their completion across the region.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo emphasised that rising construction costs would pose a major challenge if Sarawak relied solely on traditional funding methods, such as allocations under the Malaysia Plan.
“If we depend only on conventional funding, infrastructure development will be significantly slower, while costs continue to rise each year. The increasing prices of building materials, labour costs, and other factors will contribute to inflation and put a strain on government resources.
“Therefore, adopting alternative financing methods is crucial as it allows us to implement projects more efficiently rather than waiting for allocations under the Malaysia Plan,” he said during the Strategic Collaboration Programme on Public Works Malaysia today.
Meanwhile, JKR Sarawak director Ir Dr Cassidy Morris, highlighted key challenges in infrastructure development, including escalating construction costs and the impact of climate change, such as landslides.
He stressed that these challenges necessitate the need for faster project implementation and more effective cost management strategies.
“This programme provides an essential platform for inter-agency collaboration to exchange ideas, enhance efficiency, and develop strategies to overcome challenges, ensuring that infrastructure development is carried out effectively,” he explained.
The event was also attended by Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Works,Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Works Dato’ Seri Azman Ibrahim, MIPD Permanent Secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau, JKR Malaysia director-general Datuk Wira Ir Roslan Ismail, JKR Sabah director Datuk Philemon Lajawai, Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Dato’ Ir Sazali Harun and CIDB chief executive officer Zainora Zainal. — DayakDaily
