Tambirat Waterfront’s collapse under probe, contractor’s fate yet to be decided

(From left) Irwan, Aidel, Abdul Karim, Rubiah, Awla and Sherrina photographed during the press conference after IRSDA meeting at Baitulmakmur II building, Kuching on April 23, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, April 23: The fate of Tambirat Waterfront’s contractor has yet to be decided, pending the outcome of the investigation into the recent collapse of some parts of the project, says Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim stated that the ongoing construction project faced challenges when sections of the waterfront collapsed into the river.


Composite photos of the Tambirat Waterfront’s condition in mid-February 2024. Photo credit: Kamek Sayang Samarahan’s Facebook page

“Now, the authorities are conducting an investigation to see who is at fault; whether the collapse happened due to nature or the contractor or the consultant.

“They will check and get back to us soon. From there, we will determine to terminate the contractor or ask them to rectify the problem,” he said at a press conference after chairing the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) meeting at Baitulmakmur II building here today.

Abdul Karim who is also IRSDA chairman and Asajaya assemblyman further cited another erosion problem in Kampung Sageng, Simunjan which is currently under investigation.

Following the Tambirat Waterfront and Kampung Sageng erosion cases, he explained that open tender projects are not necessarily better than those awarded through selective tender or direct negotiation tender.

At the same time, Abdul Karim said there are 640 projects in total under IRSDA with 79 per cent have begun physical construction and have been completed.

According to a statement made available to the media after the event, IRSDA has completed a total of 390 projects as at first quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, 65 projects are still under implementation with the remaining 185 projects are still under the planning stage.

Also present were Malaysian Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development-cum-Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development-cum-Sadong Jaya assemblyman Datuk Aidel Lariwoo; Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris; MTCP permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; and Samarahan resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang. — DayakDaily

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