KUCHING: IJM Corp Bhd
’s unit, IJM Construction Sdn Bhd, has bagged a RM260mil contract for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KTUS) project.
The job was secured via a joint venture (JV) comprising two other companies – Azam Sehasrat Sdn Bhd and Unique Deco Sdn Bhd.
The contract is for the construction and completion of the KTUS Rembus autonomous rapid transit (ART) depot in Samarahan and other associated works that include depot buildings and associated structures, stabling yard, detention pond, access road as well as civil works.
The IJM Construction-Azam Sehasrat-Unique Deco JV was among 12 submissions received for the tender, which closed in July 2023, said Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, which is tasked by the government to develop, operate and maintain the KTUS.
Sarawak Metro is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corp.
Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa handed over the letter of award to Azam Sehasrat director, Kimchong Andrew Jikie, here last Thursday.
“The JV company is expected to commence works next month and scheduled to complete the project by December 2025,” said Sarawak Metro.
In November 2022, Sarawak Metro awarded a RM64.3mil contract to Hock Seng Lee Bhd for the construction and completion of the advanced works for the Rembus ART depot, which is under Phase 1 of KTUS.
Phase one comprises three lines – the Blue, Red and Green Line.
The Blue Line, covering 27.6km, will be from Rembus to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre.
The 12.3km Red Line will connect Kuching Central to Pending and the 30km Green Line from Pending to Damai Central in Santubong peninsula, a popular tourism belt.
Earlier this month, Sarawak Metro awarded the construction and completion of infrastructure works for Blue Line package one from Rembus to Stutong.
It was awarded to a JV company comprising Ibraco Bhd subsidiary Ibraco Construction Sdn Bhd, China Railway Engineering Corp (M) Sdn Bhd (CRECM) and Nanyang Tunnel Engineering Sdn Bhd (NYTE) for a contract value of RM568.6mil.
Ibraco Construction has a 51% stake in the JV company while CRECM and NYTE hold 39% and 10% equity interest, respectively.
Blue Line Package 1 is expected to be completed by Dec 31, 2025 (stage one) and June 30, 2026 (stage 1A).
Sarawak Metro said phase one of KTUS, covering a total distance of 70km (Blue, Red and Green Lines).
It is expected to start passenger service in stages, beginning from the fourth quarter of 2025, and expected to be completed by end of 2027.
The backbone of the KTUS project is the ART and this will be supported by the feeder bus network.
“Both vehicles will be powered by green hydrogen.
“This is in support of Sarawak’s decarbonisation efforts and in line with the state’s agenda to advance the hydrogen economy,” said Sarawak Metro.
