Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd and its supervising consultants are continuously monitoring contractor performance for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project through regular inspections, safety audits and compliance enforcement measures.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the monitoring framework includes site inspections, safety audits, compliance checks, non-conformance reporting and corrective action enforcement where necessary.
“Sarawak Metro and its supervising consultants continuously monitor contractors’ performance through regular site inspections, safety audits, compliance monitoring, non-conformance reporting, and enforcement of corrective actions where necessary,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the DUN sitting here today (May 18).
He was alluding to concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over project implementation and contractor involvement, stressing that the KUTS project is not being executed solely by foreign contractors as alleged.
He clarified that the delivery model involves joint venture participation between local and international companies, with all contractors bound by strict compliance requirements under Malaysian laws and regulations.
“All contractors—whether local or foreign partners—are contractually bound to comply with all applicable Malaysian construction laws, regulations, technical standards and safety requirements, including DOSH, CIDB standards, traffic management regulations and environmental compliance obligations,” he said.
Lee said the KUTS project, being the first large-scale urban public transport system in Kuching’s highly congested environment, presents significant implementation challenges for contractors operating within live traffic conditions and densely populated areas.
He said additional complexities include relocation of underground utilities, continuous public access requirements, and the presence of aging, uncharted and unrecorded utility infrastructure.
“However, this does not exempt contractors from compliance obligations, and my Ministry remains firm that public safety and regulatory compliance shall remain non-negotiable throughout the implementation of the project,” he stressed.
Lee also addressed an incident involving welding debris at Jalan Tun Jugah, saying the ministry viewed the matter seriously despite no injuries or damage being reported.
He said investigations found that standard safety measures were in place, but extreme heat from molten welding material caused an unexpected breach in protective barriers, allowing limited debris to fall.
Following the incident, he said enhanced safety measures were immediately implemented, including upgraded protective shielding, additional containment layers, stricter pre-hot-work inspections and reinforced contractor safety protocols.
On utility-related challenges, Lee said water supply disruptions linked to KUTS works highlight the complexity of underground infrastructure in the state.
He cited a recent incident involving an asbestos cement pipeline burst along Jalan Wan Alwi, noting that preliminary findings indicated the affected pipe was outside the designated construction zone and not reflected in existing utility records.
Lee said due diligence, including utility detection surveys, trial pits and verification with utility asset owners, had been carried out prior to piling works, and the pipeline was located approximately two metres away from the actual piling site.
“Based on preliminary investigations, the incident is believed to have been contributed by ground vibration and the fragility of an aged asbestos cement pipeline,” he said.
On road conditions and temporary diversions, Lee acknowledged public inconvenience but said such routes are necessary to facilitate safe construction while maintaining traffic flow.
He said Sarawak Metro carries out routine maintenance works including pothole patching, resurfacing, lane marking repainting and replacement of traffic signage, while affected roads will be fully reinstated to permanent standards upon project completion and handed over to the relevant authorities.
