KUCHING: Sarawak has the potential to become a global reference for tropical soil investigation (SI) technology, provided continuous innovation and new approaches are adopted.
Sarawak Public Works (PWD) director Dr Cassidy Morris said Malaysia’s unique climate placed Sarawak in a position to lead advancements in SI technology for safe and resilient infrastructure.
He said soil investigation must move away from outdated practices and embrace modern methods, supported by integrity and digital transformation.
“Soil investigation must be carried out with honesty. Even when no one is watching, integrity is crucial. The data must be accurate to support fast and effective design,” he said when officiating at the SI Technology Conference 1.0 here today.
Cassidy stressed that accelerating SI requires the use of advanced technologies, citing methods such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).
He added that large volumes of SI data should be centralised into an integrated system to identify trends, support planning, and expedite project implementation.
“Digital applications are essential to strengthen decision-making and ensure efficiency,” he said.
The conference gathered industry experts, engineers, and researchers to discuss modern approaches in SI and the importance of technology and integrity in project delivery.
It also underlined the need to properly recognise SI personnel, whose contributions have often gone unnoticed despite being key enablers of successful infrastructure projects in Sarawak.
