KUCHING, 23rd January 2025 – A discussion on bridge construction projects and sand/gravel extraction in rivers was chaired by Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Safiee Bin Haji Ahmad, Chairman of the Sarawak Rivers Board at the Main Meeting Room, Level 2, Sarawak Rivers Board Headquarters.
The discussion was also attended by Tuan Haji Hafiz Khalid, Group Deputy Chairman of OBYU Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Sean Lee Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer of Musyati Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Azrin Bin Ahmad, Project Director of Maltimur Resources Sdn. Bhd., and Ir. Joseph Tang Lon Mood, Director of Jurutera Jasa (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd., accompanied by Mr. Ong Wung Kiong and Mr. Vincent Toh Zing Hui.
The meeting was also attended by members of the Sarawak Rivers Board Management Team, led by Lt. Col. Ding Tiew Wong (Retired), Controller of Rivers, Mr. Leo Nanang, Asst. Controller (Riverine Safety), Mr. Leonard Luhat Laing, Administrative Officer (Riverine Safety), and Mr. Nichol Agoi, Enforcement Officer.
The discussion served as an engagement visit by stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Board in enforcing laws and monitoring engineering and infrastructure projects or activities carried out in gazetted rivers under the Sarawak Rivers Ordinance, 1993.
The discussion focused on the height clearance for the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Fasa 2 (Reka dan Bina), Package 3 – Long Luping to Long Komap, Ba'Kelalan, where the proposed clearance is 1.00 meter above Highest Flood Level (HFL), considering the river fluctuation upstream, which does not impact the flood overflow onto the new Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridge. The clearance is also higher than that of the existing Bailey bridge. However, before the matter is considered, the Board advises stakeholders to adhere to the following important requirements: consider climate change factors affecting bridge height clearance, provide a hydrology study report on bridge clearance and load impact on the bridge pier, and submit engineering drawings certified by a professional engineer.
The discussion also covered the proposal for sand/gravel extraction. The Board advised that the application for sand/gravel extraction is to be submitted to the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak, which will then refer the matter to the Board for comments/recommendations on safety and cleanliness.
To conclude the fruitful discussion, Yang Berhormat Chairman of the Board informed all present that the Board always welcomes positive discussions to address the issues faced by stakeholders and to foster close cooperation among agencies in accordance with law and regulations.
