NUMEROUS individuals and organisations have played vital roles in bringing Sarawak to its current position, and among them is Opus Consultants (Sarawak Regional Office), a subsidiary of UEM Edgenta and Malaysia’s premier engineering and asset management consultancy firm.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Opus was established with the aim of supporting Sarawak’s vision for development and contributing to the state’s sustainable growth.
Led by Ir. Vincent Tang, the Director and Head of Opus East Malaysia, with 35 years of civil engineering
experience, Opus is committed to localizing its operations by setting up a regional office in Sarawak.
Over the past two years, through its fully fledged regional office, Opus has actively participated in shaping a prosperous future for Sarawak and its people.
Projects and contributions
Since its establishment, Opus has been involved in several mega projects that contribute to Sarawak’s development and infrastructure improvement.
Notably, the company has played a crucial role in the Pan Borneo highway project, which represents a cornerstone of the state’s development trajectory. As the Independent Consulting Engineer (ICE) for the project, Opus ensures the smooth and seamless execution of the highway construction, adhering to strict
timelines, budget constraints, and rigorous safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability standards.
Opus has also been actively involved in other projects, including the construction of the Coastal Road
Network and the Second Trunk Roads, upgrading of the Jalan Sultan Tengah Road and the construction of a new bridge over the Santubong River.
Additionally, the company provides strategic technical support for the Kuching Urban Transportation System, specifically for the system design review works and the upcoming Autonomous Rapid Transit
(ART) system.
It is important to note that Opus’ vision is to bring its extensive expertise and knowledge to contribute to Sarawak’s development.
By complementing local industry players and collaborating with them, Opus aims to provide top-tier expertise, facilitate knowledge transfer and local talent development.
Additionally, Opus is committed to strengthening local supply chains by fostering relationships with local
suppliers, consultants and service providers.
Opus Consultants’ expertise and experience
Opus is renowned for its service excellence and has a track record of delivering mega projects valued at over RM100 billion.
With a commitment to ethical engineering practices and international standard, innovative and technically sound solutions across transportation and the built environment, Opus brings a wealth of experience from West Malaysia and international projects to Sarawak.
This expertise allows for effective knowledge transfer and empowers local professionals, fostering the development of Sarawak’s infrastructure and the growth of the local community.
Ir. Vincent believes that Sarawak’s economy is thriving, and Opus is aligned with the State’s strategy for
economic growth and development.
As an ICE, Opus ensures that major projects run smoothly, maintaining high quality while staying within
budgetary constraints.
The company is committed to building local talent, contributing to nation-building in Sarawak, and
supporting the vision of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Focus on sustainability and energy efficiency
Opus recognises sustainability as a pivotal agenda for Sarawak’s socio-economic development. The Company has also aligned its business objectives with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and is dedicated to support the
State’s path to achieving Net-Zero Emissions by promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
green building initiatives.
In line with these goals, Opus has pledged RM100 million under its ZeroCapex Programme. This initiative enables asset owners to overcome the challenge of significant upfront capital investment required for the conversion of existing assets into green buildings or green retrofitting, thereby allowing building owners including government agencies to adopt sustainability practices with minimal upfront costs.
This also results in savings from electricity and maintenance cost, enhance asset performance and
reduces carbon emissions. By deploying the latest green technology and solutions in energy efficiency, smart cities, and IoT, Opus aims to unlock tangible benefits for its clients in their decarbonization
journey, while generating savings.
Overcoming challenges and promoting inclusivity
When Opus first started in Sarawak, one of the key challenges the company faced was finding local talent to fill its project’s manpower requirements and assimilation into the local culture.
However, to date, the company is pleased to note that up to 75% of its workforce is composed of locals.
As part of the company’s continuous talent development efforts, the company collaborates with local higher education institutions. Through internships and graduate trainee programs, Opus provides practical work experience and enhances the capabilities of local professionals, contributing to long-term capacity development.
Additionally, Opus is committed to women’s empowerment and does not tolerate gender discrimination.
Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the company’s engineers are women, with some serving as site
engineers. Furthermore, all the document controllers at Opus are women, highlighting the company’s
commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities.
Looking ahead
Opus has ambitious plans to enhance its services and support local talent while strengthening the value chain in Sarawak. Ir. Vincent, a representative of the company, shared their vision for the future.
In the coming years, Opus aims to expand its service offerings in infrastructure, engineering, and sustainability projects, with the goal of actively contributing to Sarawak’s development.
Ir. Vincent expressed the company’s hope that the state government and local stakeholders will recognize Opus Consultants Sarawak as a reliable and dependable partner.
Ir Vincent emphasized that by recognizing the value of partnering with Opus, the state government
and other stakeholders can support the realization of Sarawak’s Net Zero Vision and contribute to the region’s sustainable growth.
Opus commitment to engineering excellence, innovative asset management, and a holistic approach
to energy efficiency and sustainability solutions positions them as a key partner in building a sustainable and prosperous future for Sarawak.
Opus encourages local stakeholders to leverage their expertise and adopt a collaborativeappr oach.
By working together, they believe they can accelerate the journey towards sustainability and economic resilience, positioning Sarawak as a leader in sustainable development.
Their ultimate goal is not only to complement Sarawak’s present but also to pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for both Sarawak and its people. Opus is committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the state’s growth and development.
