KUCHING: Building one major bridge is no small undertaking, but Sarawak is constructing 21 simultaneously as it pushes ahead with infrastructure development across the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the scale reflected the infrastructure needs of Sarawak, where its vast network of rivers presents unique challenges in connecting communities.
“We are blessed with rivers. We have so many rivers, so the engineers have to build bridges across the rivers.
“In six years, we are building 21 bridges simultaneously. These are big bridges, but I must thank our engineers because they are able to deliver what I asked for,” he said.
He said this during a fireside chat held in conjunction with the 34th General Assembly of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) and World Engineering Congress at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
The session was moderated by past president of both the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) and FEIAP, Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik.
Earlier, when asked about Sarawak’s infrastructure priorities, Abang Johari said infrastructure ultimately serves one fundamental purpose – connecting people.
For Sarawak, he said this means developing physical links capable of overcoming its geographical challenges while connecting communities and supporting development.
Beyond physical connectivity, he said infrastructure development also requires sufficient energy to support economic activities.
“Although Sarawak is on the island of Borneo and connectivity is important, I think Sarawak also has to look at the new challenges the world is facing, particularly carbon emissions.
“We have to mitigate carbon emissions by exploring clean energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.
“Therefore, the issues we are facing today are quite complex, and for Sarawak, we are tackling these issues seriously in our development,” he said.
