Package A1A of Second Trunk Road project shows steady progress, says S'wak deputy minister
Aidel (left) during the site visit at the Package A1A section of the Second Trunk Road Package project. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 11): Package A1A of the Second Trunk Road (STR) project, comprising the new Batang Samarahan Bridge and a 9km dual carriageway to Batang Sadong, has reached 11.61 per cent completion as of today, slightly ahead of its scheduled progress of 11.43 per cent.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, highlighting that it is 0.18 per cent ahead of schedule.
'This reflects the steady work by the contractor and a consistent supply of materials,' he told reporters after a site visit and briefing by Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) at the developer's office here today.
He noted that Package A1A is a key component of the broader Second Trunk Road network, which aims to provide an alternative route for residents in coastal and interior areas currently underserved by the Pan Borneo Highway and Coastal Road Network.
Aidel also visited the adjacent D3C package, a 7km single carriageway linking Batang Samarahan to Batang Sejingkat.
He reported that progress there was generally on track, with actual completion at 23.09 per cent against a scheduled 23.13 per cent.
'There is a very minor delay of 0.04 per cent, but we have advised the contractor to increase their daily supply rate.
'The current rate is slightly below what is required to complete the embankment work efficiently,' he said.
He further explained that the Second Trunk Road spans several administrative divisions and will eventually connect Sejingkat to Batang Sadong, Sebuyau, and onward to Betong.
Once completed, the road will serve as a direct alternative route for motorists travelling between Sarawak's northern and central coastal regions.
Aidel revealed that the full stretch from Batang Samarahan to Batang Sadong measures 23km, consisting of the current 9km A1A package and the upcoming 13km A1B section.
'Plans are also underway to extend a dual carriageway from Batang Sadong to Batang Lupar in Sebuyau, covering another 35km.
'This second trunk road project is designed to complement the Pan Borneo and Coastal Road networks, particularly for areas not directly served by those routes.
'Once completed, it will transform connectivity for people in these regions,' he said.
He also pointed out that another key segment – a dual carriageway linking Serian, Gedong, and Samarahan – is currently under construction and expected to bolster regional integration under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
'When this entire network is completed, including the Second Trunk Road and ongoing developments under 13MP and PCDS 2030, connectivity in this region will be significantly improved,' he said. aidel lariwoo Batang Samarahan bridge Package A1A Second Trunk Road
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to expand traffic parks, revive road safety games for students
Lee (raising the checkered racing flag) symbolically launches the competition in a group photo with the participants and guests. Photo from Ukas KUCHING (June 21): The Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) plans to increase the number of traffic parks across the state under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) as part of efforts to strengthen road safety education among school students, said its Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. He said there are currently six traffic parks in Sarawak, which are maintained and upgraded using government funds allocated to local councils. 'We will increase the number of these traffic parks so that every part of Sarawak has a traffic park,' he told the media after officiating the Sarawak Traffic Games (STG)- Kuching 2025 at Kenyalang Traffic Garden today. On the STG, Lee said the revival of the competition serves as an effective platform to educate and raise road safety awareness, especially among the younger generation. He explained that the goal is to reduce road accidents by teaching participants about traffic rules and safe driving through a simulated learning environment. 'Based on the feedback we received, many participants who participated in this competition over 40 years ago still remember the rules they learned to this day,' he said. Lee added that the simulated road environment used in the games had a deep and lasting impact on the participants. 'There is a traffic police presence, and if any offence occurs, a summons is issued immediately. Some participants even cried after being summoned. 'I see this approach as an impactful and very effective method, so my ministry takes the initiative to revive this program,' he explained. The competition, formerly known as the Shell Traffic Games, was first introduced in 1963 through a strategic collaboration between the Sarawak government and Shell Malaysia. It was last held in 2015 and has since been rebranded as the Sarawak Traffic Games in 2024. Meanwhile,the STG – Kuching edition saw the participation of more than 200 students from 10 schools around Kuching including SK St Teresa, SK Kenyalang, SMK Green Road and SMK Pending. STG 2025 officially began in November 2024, with Miri hosting the first leg of the series. The competition will run until November 2025 and will be held at existing traffic parks in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, and Sarikei, which were specifically developed for road safety simulations. Meanwhile, Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said said the return of the competition to Kuching after a 10-year hiatus holds great significance. 'The last time we hosted this programme was in 2015. Many in our community have fond memories of it—and today, we are delighted that those memories can now be passed on to a new generation,' he said. He added the Kenyalang Traffic Garden itself has over 50 years of history. 'The revival of STG here is more than just symbolic—it reflects a renewed commitment to educating our children in the most engaging and impactful ways possible.' Lee Kim Shin ministry of transport sarawak road safety traffic parks
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
JKR blasted for shoddy road repairs; motorists can file for damages albeit tedious process
AT A time when road safety is in the public eye, the Department of Public Works (JKR) has been cast under the spotlight for perceived shoddy work. Underlining this precise problem is a short video clip of an unidentified stretch of road with a very badly patched up portion, hence causing cars to suddenly dip due to uneven height of the tarmac. The post on X by MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) wondered how JKR carries out its duties. How could it patch up the road in such a manner, it queried incredulously? Ni kualiti kerja JKR ke orang lain? Apa jadah tampal jalan camtu … — MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) June 12, 2025 That the post has garnered 415.2K views at the time of writing is testament that many road users could not hide their irritation at the substandard work being done on public thoroughfares. And, lest it be forgotten, such 'professional' work is carried out at the taxpayers' expense. Needless to say, this blatant disregard for road user comfort, convenience and safety brought out netizens in force. Without identifying the actual stretch of road, one commenter described feeling like a rally driver when the vehicle passing through the stretch would be sent flying through the air due to the sudden dip in terrain. He further surmised that there could have been several accidents at this spot just that none have been fatal – yet. More than a few blamed the chain of sub-contractors who charged for services but end up delivering such substandard work. But ultimately, the blame fell with JKR for not inspecting steps to ensure the repair work was done properly. JKR was full of 'lazy types' who did not do the necessary checks, exclaimed one commenter. One commenter contended that this cycle of bad repair jobs was the result of corruption from top to bottom – 'suffice so long as the quality is so-so and the job continues to flow'. One netizen cheekily asked if the patch-up shown on the video is designed to curb speedsters or simply to destroy passing vehicles. Such was the undulation that cars travelling at speed (or not slowing down) could sustain damage. It must be noted that if indeed motorists suffer damage to their vehicles due to shoddy road works, they can actually claim from JKR (or the relevant highway concessionaire). In Malaysia, motorists can claim compensation for vehicle damage caused by road defects such as potholes from the relevant authority responsible for road maintenance. This typically involves gathering evidence, filing a police report and submitting a claim to the local council, JKR or highway concessionaire. Perhaps, the best way to demand a higher standard of public works is to flood the department – not just with complaints – but with claims for damages. Complaints – even when accompanied by video evidence – can always be ignored. Claims, especially those made through insurance companies, are harder to sweep under the carpet. FocusM believes it is time for Malaysian road users to exercise their rights. – June 17, 2025
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Package A1A of Second Trunk Road project shows steady progress, says S'wak deputy minister
Aidel (left) during the site visit at the Package A1A section of the Second Trunk Road Package project. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 11): Package A1A of the Second Trunk Road (STR) project, comprising the new Batang Samarahan Bridge and a 9km dual carriageway to Batang Sadong, has reached 11.61 per cent completion as of today, slightly ahead of its scheduled progress of 11.43 per cent. Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, highlighting that it is 0.18 per cent ahead of schedule. 'This reflects the steady work by the contractor and a consistent supply of materials,' he told reporters after a site visit and briefing by Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) at the developer's office here today. He noted that Package A1A is a key component of the broader Second Trunk Road network, which aims to provide an alternative route for residents in coastal and interior areas currently underserved by the Pan Borneo Highway and Coastal Road Network. Aidel also visited the adjacent D3C package, a 7km single carriageway linking Batang Samarahan to Batang Sejingkat. He reported that progress there was generally on track, with actual completion at 23.09 per cent against a scheduled 23.13 per cent. 'There is a very minor delay of 0.04 per cent, but we have advised the contractor to increase their daily supply rate. 'The current rate is slightly below what is required to complete the embankment work efficiently,' he said. He further explained that the Second Trunk Road spans several administrative divisions and will eventually connect Sejingkat to Batang Sadong, Sebuyau, and onward to Betong. Once completed, the road will serve as a direct alternative route for motorists travelling between Sarawak's northern and central coastal regions. Aidel revealed that the full stretch from Batang Samarahan to Batang Sadong measures 23km, consisting of the current 9km A1A package and the upcoming 13km A1B section. 'Plans are also underway to extend a dual carriageway from Batang Sadong to Batang Lupar in Sebuyau, covering another 35km. 'This second trunk road project is designed to complement the Pan Borneo and Coastal Road networks, particularly for areas not directly served by those routes. 'Once completed, it will transform connectivity for people in these regions,' he said. He also pointed out that another key segment – a dual carriageway linking Serian, Gedong, and Samarahan – is currently under construction and expected to bolster regional integration under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). 'When this entire network is completed, including the Second Trunk Road and ongoing developments under 13MP and PCDS 2030, connectivity in this region will be significantly improved,' he said. aidel lariwoo Batang Samarahan bridge Package A1A Second Trunk Road
