KUCHING, July 20: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has achieved a new milestone with the award of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) Project’s System Package 1 contract.
Sarawak Metro handed over the Letter of Award for the contract to EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd at a ceremony held on 18 July 2022, and witnessed by Minister of Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who was representing the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“With our aspiration of having a sustainable public transport solution that also tackles the issues of climate change, that is why we have with us these companies collaborating to bring us the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit system,” said Abang Johari whose speech was read out by Lee.
He explained that the System Package 1 contract, valued at RM1.425 billion, involved the supply of rolling stock, which is the hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles, depot equipment and maintenance vehicles (DEMV), signalling and control system (S&CS) and the automatic platform gate (APG).
At the event, Sarawak Metro’s Chief Executive Officer Technologist Mazli Mustaffa was on hand to present the Letter of Award to EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd’s directors, Syahrir Iman Suib, Chan Chee Kian and Wilson Fan.
For the System Package 1 contract, EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd—a joint venture between EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd, Mobilus Sdn Bhd and Global Rail Sdn Bhd—are working with CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Company Limited and CIMC-Hexagon Hydrogen Energy Systems Limited (suppliers of the hydrogen-powered ART vehicles); Thales (supplier of the signalling and control system); Fangda Innotech Company Limited (supplier of the automatic platform gate); and DOM Industries (M) Sdn Bhd and CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Company Limited (supplier of the depot equipment and maintenance vehicles).
Abang Johari pointed out that this recent milestone achieved by Sarawak Metro, is also a very significant achievement for China, as the country of origin of the supplier of the ART system.
“I also see this as an opportunity to strengthen the already close bilateral economic relationship between Malaysia—through Sarawak—with China.”
He also highlighted that Sarawak is moving one step ahead as the Autonomous Rapid Transit’s (ART) propulsion system will be powered by hydrogen, in line with Sarawak’s green hydrogen agenda and the development of Sarawak’s hydrogen economy.
“Just as we are trailblazers in the development of our digital economy, we are trailblazers in the hydrogen economy. And the application of hydrogen to transform our public transport system is a further testament to our commitment towards further improving the socio-economy of Sarawak.”
The Premier was pleased that the System Package 1 Contractor has also given its commitment to add value to the KUTS Project through Sarawak Metro’s Socio-Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme to develop the human capital and supply chain, towards ensuring the sustainability and long-term success of the ART operations.
“It is my sincere hope that through such initiatives, a new generation of young Sarawakians will be able gain new knowledge and skills to play a meaningful role in this new industry, namely a modern and green public transport sector.
“With the creation of a pool of skilled workforce in this sector, I am confident that in the future, these Sarawakians will not only contribute to the industry in Sarawak but they will also be sought after by public transport system developers and operators from cities all over the country and the region,” he said, adding that there were vast opportunities to tap into the regional market potential created by the adoption of the ART for the KUTS. — DayakDaily
