KUCHING: Eight major bridge projects in Sarawak are expected to be completed this year as scheduled, despite minor hitches arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah said any problems were unlikely to disrupt the construction of the bridges.
"For the eight bridges planned for completion this year, we are not really worried.
"We are confident that they will progress as planned.
"There may be a minor problem but not to the extent that it will disrupt our schedule," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak infrastructure engagement programme here on Tuesday (March 31).
Uggah said the projects included the Batang Lupar I Bridge, which was progressing well.
The 4.8km bridge, the longest over a river in Malaysia, is scheduled to be opened to the public in mid-May.
Uggah also said the state Infrastructure and Port Development Ministry, which he helms, was closely monitoring the situation, including the supply and rising costs of materials.
He recently made a site visit to the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching II project to discuss their purchasing programme for materials.
"We want to make sure that their planning takes into account the current situation," he said.
In his speech earlier, Uggah said Sarawak was entering a new phase of accelerated infrastructure delivery under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
He said 852 federal- and state-funded projects valued at RM52.4bil had been approved for the state Public Works Department under the 13MP.
Of this, 287 projects worth RM26.5bil are under construction while 565 projects worth RM25.8bil are at the tender preparation stage.
"This will require strong coordination, disciplined execution and continuous engagement," Uggah said.
