KUCHING: The concept of Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) introduced by the contractor for the Red Line Package of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) could be adopted to other bigger project line in the state.
In stating this, Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that the CLQ stands as a testament to the commitment towards improving the quality of life for workers in the construction industry.
“Maybe this is the way forward for the construction industry in Kuching and Sarawak to ensure the well-being of workers in the future.
“I hope this initiative will inspire other projects to prioritise the welfare of their workforce. And I’m very impressed today, this is a very good concept,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after the opening of KUTS Project’s Red Line Contractor’s CLQ at Green Heights here on Friday.
He also said that the CLQ concept is not only a quarters concept, but also an integrated management of construction.
“Not only the construction side, but that comprises the living quarters, including the consultant office, the contractor office, and the client, they are all here together.
“It is much a more effective and efficient way of managing this construction. It saves time and hopefully with this system, we will be able to finish our project according to schedule.
“With this concept also, it’s a very ideal concept and I hope this could be the concept to be adopted when we implement a big project like this,” he said.
Lee said the CLQ consists of 36 rooms for management staff and 53 rooms for workers, accommodating up to 240 people.
“Facilities such as living areas, dining areas, basketball court and office buildings will ensure a more comfortable living and working environment for the workers.
“Once again, thank you to the Red Line Contractor for their dedication and efforts in providing such excellent facilities for their workers. It is very well done to bring in this new construction technology and new concept to Sarawak here. This will help to raise our construction standard,” said Lee.
Sarawak Metro has awarded a joint venture company consisting of Sri Datai Construction (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, JT JV Builders Sdn Bhd, and CHEC Construction (M) Sdn Bhd with a contract to build the infrastructure for the Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending, spanning 12.3 kilometres (km).
In addition to constructing a dedicated lane for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, the RM943 million contract also involves road widening works and other infrastructure projects, with construction scheduled for completion in December 2026 and current progress at around 0.06 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Blue Line, covering a distance of 27.6 km from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange located in the city centre, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The Green Line (30 km), running from Pending to Damai, is slated for completion by the end of 2027.
