Sarawak: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has expressed concern over the delay of the RM298.4 million Batang Paloh Bridge project in Mukah. He urged the contractor to make more serious efforts to speed up construction, including bringing in more machinery and equipment and extending working hours, to ensure that the project, which is already delayed by 96 days, is completed by March next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Uggah stated that the bridge project is on the verge of being classified as a problematic project. He emphasized that delays in major projects such as this could lead to public discontent and frustration directed at elected representatives and the government. His remarks followed a progress briefing from Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) director Dr Cassidy Morris and the contractor’s representative.

Uggah announced that the Sarawak JKR would develop a new work plan aimed at expediting the construction process. He also conveyed his intention to visit the site in July to assess its progress. Currently, the overall progress of the two-lane 1.7-kilometre-long bridge and 4.6 kilometres of roadworks has reached only 75.25 per cent, compared to the scheduled 84.63 per cent.