KUCHING, Oct 4: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro), Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains), and Siliconnet Technologies Sdn Bhd (SNT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish collaboration in the development of financial technology systems for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
According to a joint press statement issued by Sarawak Metro and SNT today, the signing ceremony signified the commitment of the State towards modernising the public transport sector.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the exchange of the signed MOU. The exchange of the MOU documents was held during the opening of the 27th World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2023 and 6th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (WCIT-IDECS 2023) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.
“Chief executive officer (CEO) technologist Mazli Mustaffa signed on behalf of Sarawak Metro while Sains was represented by its CEO, Busiai Seman, and SNT by its general manager, Chin Zan Kiun.
“The MOU was for the collaboration for the development of the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system and other related financial technology systems for the KUTS project,” read the press statement.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has been entrusted by the Sarawak government to develop, maintain, and operate the KUTS project. The project, which involved the introduction of zero-emission vehicles, aimed to reduce traffic congestion in the Greater Kuching city.
“The KUTS project will be developed in phases, and Phase 1 will see the development of three lines namely, the Blue Line (from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Kuching), the Red Line (from Kuching Sentral to Pending), and the Green Line (from Pending to Damai Central).
“All the three lines, totalling 70km in distance, are scheduled to be in operation in stages starting from the end of 2025 right up to 2027.
“The main vehicle fleet used in this project is the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) and supported by the feeder bus network.
“All the vehicles will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, in support of the government’s effort to decarbonise public transport and advance the hydrogen economy.”
The press release also stated that Sarawak Metro’s main contractor for System Package Contract 1-EMG JV Sdn Bhd is currently coordinating the engineering run and Stage 2 of the Proof-of-Concept (POC) exercise for the ART prototype unit, which began on Sept 4.
“The engineering run will be held for two months and will end in October, and the route is a loop along Jalan Keruing passing Menara LCDA, Menara SEDC, Menara Sarawak Energy and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“Stage 2 of the POC exercise will be carried out in November to gather data to evaluate the feasibility of the prototype for the final design of the ART vehicle.
“Sains, wholly owned by the Sarawak government, is a leading ICT systems integrator and solution provider in the State, while SNT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sains. SNT is the operator of S Pay Global (also known as Sarawak Pay). S Pay Global is the government fintech mobile app platform that provides a convenient and secured e-wallet functionality.” — DayakDaily
