Latest news with #AidelLariwoo
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Bridge at Sejingkat expected to be completed by Feb next year, says S'wak deputy minister
The cable-stayed bridge over Sarawak River at Sejingkat is currently at 52.45 per cent completion. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 11): The 1.28km cable-stayed bridge over the Sarawak River at Sejingkat is expected to be completed by February next year, said State Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo. He said the RM365.7 million project is currently slightly behind schedule at 52.45 per cent completion. 'The project was supposed to be at 59.75 per cent completion as per the schedule but there's a slight delay due to the technical issues especially in regard to the form traveller. 'The contractor is trying very hard to solve this issue and in fact, they are already committing to deliver two sets of form traveller all the way from China to continue with the rest of the works,' he told a press conference held in conjunction with his working visit to the site of the bridge here today. In view of this, he said that the scheduled project completion has been revised to February next year. 'The contractor is committed to complete it before June next year where by then the bridge can be used by the public,' he added. He said the ministry would continue to monitor the project along with other projects under their purview. 'We do have some projects that are behind schedule, which is why we activate our monitoring team and each month, we will hold meetings with the various agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and the Land and Survey Department to resolve issues faced by the delayed projects. 'We are closely monitoring every single project in Sarawak and have given the contractors a tight schedule. 'This has enabled us to reduce the number of sick projects to less than five when compared to during the pre-pandemic, there were more than 100 sick projects,' he said. On a related matter, Aidel said the Second Trunk Road project, of which the bridge at Sejingkat is part of, is progressing very well. 'For this section, there are three packages altogether namely this bridge over Sarawak River at Sejingkat; the Tanjung Bako to Sejingkat (road project) which has already been completed; and the other adjoining section to Batang Samarahan which is still in progress and scheduled to be completed later next year. 'So, by September next year, the people will be able to use this Second Trunk Road where they can travel from Kuching to Samarahan to Batang Samarahan or from Batang Sejingkat to Batang Samarahan with no traffic congestion,' he said. For this year, he said the state is targeting to complete the Sungai Lingga Bridge next month. 'There is also the Batang Lupar Bridge in Sebuyau which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year,' he added. aidel lariwoo bridge lead sejingkat
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Elevated road among JKR Sarawak's key methods to counter peat soil construction challenges
Datuk Aidel Lariwoo KUCHING (May 23): The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) continues to implement new technologies in constructing roads and bridges across coastal areas with peat soil. Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said this is to ensure safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. In response to a question raised by Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris at the State Legislative Assembly today, Aidel outlined the challenges posed by peat soil, which include low bearing capacity, high long-term compression, and acidic environments that accelerate structural erosion. 'JKR Sarawak constantly evaluates and adopts the latest technologies to ensure that the construction of roads and bridges on peat soil is safe, economical, and environmentally friendly,' he said. Awla had asked whether there are new technologies for constructing roads and bridges in coastal areas that have peat soil. Aidel said one of the key technologies currently in use is the elevated road method, which involves constructing raised road structures using support piles that avoid direct contact with peat soil to help reduce the risk of ground settlement and long-term damage to road surfaces. He cited the road from Batang Samarahan Bridge to Batang Sadong Bridge under Package A1-B, as well as Jalan Teku to Pasai Siong in Sibu as projects applying this method. Another method is the replacement technique, which involves excavating soft peat soil and replacing it with stronger and more stable fill materials such as sand, gravel, or compacted clay to enhance the load-bearing capacity of the road foundation. The displacement method is also used, where heavy fill materials like sand or stone are placed directly on top of soft soil, forcing the weaker soil to move sideways without the need for excavation. This approach improves stability without removing the existing ground. To further stabilise the soil, the preloading and ground improvement method is applied, including the use of prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) combined with surcharge fill to accelerate the natural compression of soft soil. Aidel explained that this combination reduces the time needed for soil compaction and minimises the risk of settlement after construction begins. In addition, the deep soil mixing technique is used to strengthen swampy terrain. This involves mixing cement with the soil using specialised equipment, which forms hardened columns that provide underground structural support. Another advanced material used is Ultra-High-Performance Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composite (UHPFRC), which is highly resistant to the penetration of chloride and sulphate that commonly degrade conventional concrete. UHPFRC allows for longer bridge spans with slender cross-sections and offers greater resistance to acidic erosion. Aidel said this material has been used in several road and bridge projects, including the road from Batang Sadong Bridge to Batang Lupar 1 Bridge under Package A2; Jalan Sebangan in Samarahan; Jalan Klid Medong Lebarassau in Dalat, Mukah; and the proposed road to Kampung Sungai Ijok in Samarahan. To a supplementary question, Aidel highlighted that elevated roads provide several advantages over conventional methods. They enable routes to be built over rivers, swamps, and densely populated areas, help reduce the need for land acquisition and compensation, and lessen environmental impact due to minimal disturbance of sensitive areas such as peatlands, forests, or riverbanks. He also noted that the use of these new technologies can significantly reduce the need for long-term maintenance. For instance, elevated roads supported by piles are effective in reducing uneven ground settlement and the resulting structural issues. Moreover, technologies like PVD and deep soil mixing contribute to soil stability, which addresses one of the main causes of road deterioration. Aidel also emphasised that under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the Sarawak government is strongly committed to enhancing safety and quality in rural-urban road connectivity. He said that the integration of new technologies in infrastructure projects plays a crucial role in supporting Sarawak's development. aidel lariwoo elevated road jkr sarawak lead peat soil
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sarawak to convert over 5,000km disused logging roads into village routes to boost rural access and development
KUCHING, May 23 — The Sarawak government is planning to take over former logging roads, including wooden bridges, that connect settlements in rural areas such as Baleh constituency. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the move is to ensure better and more organised road access for residents. 'So far, there are 5,297km of logging roads that connect various rural settlements in the state. 'Of that total, 3,293km are still active logging roads, while 2,004km are no longer in use,' he said in response to a question from Nicholas Kudi Jantai (GPS-Baleh) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here today. Aidel said 312.8km of former logging roads have been successfully registered under the Village Roads category through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris). 'The active logging roads stretch over 1,172.60km and unregistered roads remain under the responsibility of logging concession companies,' he explained. He said the state government is working to take over 188km of former logging roads, including the wooden bridges along those routes. He explained registering these former logging roads under Marris would allow the government to secure financial allocations for maintenance. 'This registration also allows the former logging roads to be classified either under State Roads (JRN) or Village Roads (JKPG), depending on their respective criteria and specifications,' he said. He emphasised that this initiative is a strategic move to enhance rural infrastructure and narrow the development gap between urban and interior areas. — The Borneo Post
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Aidel: State to take over former logging roads connecting rural settlements
File photo shows a logging road. KUCHING (May 23): The Sarawak government is planning to take over former logging roads, including wooden bridges, that connect settlements in rural areas such as Baleh constituency. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the move is to ensure better and more organised road access for residents. 'So far, there are 5,297km of logging roads that connect various rural settlements in the state. 'Of that total, 3,293km are still active logging roads, while 2,004km are no longer in use,' he said in response to a question from Nicholas Kudi Jantai (GPS-Baleh) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here today. Aidel said 312.8km of former logging roads have been successfully registered under the Village Roads category through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris). 'The active logging roads stretch over 1,172.60km and unregistered roads remain under the responsibility of logging concession companies,' he explained. He said the state government is working to take over 188km of former logging roads, including the wooden bridges along those routes. He explained registering these former logging roads under Marris would allow the government to secure financial allocations for maintenance. 'This registration also allows the former logging roads to be classified either under State Roads (JRN) or Village Roads (JKPG), depending on their respective criteria and specifications,' he said. He emphasised that this initiative is a strategic move to enhance rural infrastructure and narrow the development gap between urban and interior areas. aidel lariwoo former logging road lead MARRIS
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
S'wak taking over former logging roads to improve rural links
State Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister Datuk Aidel Lariwoo addressing the Sarawak Legislative Assembly during question time on Friday (May 23). KUCHING: The Sarawak government plans to take over former logging roads and wooden bridges to improve connectivity to rural settlements, says state Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister Datuk Aidel Lariwoo. He said there was a total of 5,297km of logging roads connecting settlements in rural areas across the state. Of this, 3,293km are still active while 2,004km are no longer in use. "Former logging roads and wooden bridges, which are in urgent need of repair or of high importance, can be considered as proposed projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan," Aidel told Nicholas Kudi (GPS-Baleh) during question time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Friday (May 23). To a supplementary question, he said the state government was registering former logging roads under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris). "This will enable funds to be allocated under Marris for the maintenance of these roads, either as state roads or village roads according to their criteria and specifications," he added.
