MIRI: The construction project for the new Sepupok Health Clinic in Niah, which was delayed due to rising costs, will be retendered this April, says Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
He said the Type 3 Health Clinic project, approved in 2021 with an initial cost of RM40 million, was originally scheduled to begin last year with a construction period of 36 months.
Lukanisman, who is also Sibuti MP, said preliminary works for the project had been carried out over the past two years, while the first tender process was conducted in 2024.
“This project was approved several years ago, and the cost increase is unavoidable, particularly due to the rise in construction material prices following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In addition, the Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) has expanded the scope to include seismic testing to assess soil conditions and potential ground movement risks in the area,” he was quoted as saying in an UKAS report.
He explained that the need for seismic testing arose following several incidents of soil and structural failures reported in Sarawak, including in Long Lama and other locations in the northern region of the state.
As such, JKR Sarawak recommended that the tests be carried out to ensure the soil structure is compatible with the project’s original design.
“If the soil is found to be unstable, the design will need to be reinforced with additional works, which will in turn increase the overall project cost.
“Moreover, the implementation of seismic testing itself involves high costs and is one of the main factors contributing to the increased expenditure,” he said.
He added that seismic testing has now become an important component in development projects in Sarawak to prevent future structural damage, as seen in past cases such as the Long Lama Health Clinic.
Meanwhile, the project has been resubmitted to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for approval of additional funding.
Once the retendering process is finalised, the construction of the clinic is expected to take 36 months to complete.
Approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Rolling Plan 3, the project will integrate a Health Clinic and a Maternal and Child Health Clinic (KIA) into a single facility, thereby enhancing the quality of healthcare services and patient comfort in Niah and its surrounding areas.
