Sarawak Wants Construction Sector To Rely Less On Foreign Labour

June 14, 2007 16:40 PM

KUCHING, June 14 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Housing Minister Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg Thursday proposed that contractors reduce their dependence on foreign labour by investing in the latest technology available in the construction industry.

He said many new gadgets and machines were available in the market that they could use to speed up their work.

"Perhaps, to reduce the cost of labour, I propose that the local contractors invest in the latest technology in the construction industry," he said when opening a one-day roadshow on "Health, Safety and Enviroment in Construction", here.

Abang Johari expressed fear over the growing trend of hiring foreign labour in the construction sector, saying it could have a negative impact on the state but did not elaborate.

-- BERNAMA

HSL to start RM600m project

By JACK WONG

KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL) will embark on its most ambitious high-end mixed development project – La Promenade.

With an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM600mil, the project is an exclusive gated community in Sungai Kuap area, near Kuching International Airport.

Wholly-owned subsidiary Hock Seng Lee Construction Sdn Bhd will undertake the project, which will have more 1,000 houses, a commercial centre comprising 200 shophouses and office blocks, an international school and a clubhouse.

Executive director Yii Chee Sing told StarBiz the project was now in the detailed planning stage.

Yii said the company expected to start work early next year on another major mixed development project in Samariang Aman in Bandar Baru Samariang, Kuching where it was now building 642 houses.

Yii Chee Sing at the Samariang Aman project site

“This project will comprise 220 shophouses, a seven-storey office block, a mall, a hypermarket and a food court. It will be implemented in three phases over three years,” he added.

On the multi-phased Samariang Baru residential development, he said the first 90 terrace houses had been delivered to buyers. Construction work is under way for 236 more units, which have been sold.

Yii said the company’s two other ongoing residential developments were the Highfields (175 units) in Batu Kawa and Lavender Hills (64 units) at the 21.6km stretch of Jalan Kuching-Serian.

The company is set to launch its first housing project outside Kuching – Vista Parade (39 units) in Sibu – later this year. It also plans to expand its property development to Miri and Bintulu.

Yii said HSL, which diversified into property development in 2000, was tapping into the segment of affordable units priced below RM200,000.

“Our signature product is the courtyard terrace which greatly enhances the ambience of single-storey houses by bringing light and ventilation into the centre of the home.”

Yii attributed the strong demand for HSL-built homes to its variety of innovative design choices.

BDC interchange ready by end of Apri

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: Ting (second left) looks at the plan of the BDC interchange project. With him are Wong (left) and Bobby (second left). KUCHING: The BDC interchange will be "fully" opened to traffic by the end of April. Advisor to the developer, Global Upline Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing, said the whole project had been "constructionally completed" with the touching up, cleaning and landscaping remaining to be done. "This BDC interchange will be like a garden interchange. Before opening the interchange for ,public use, the final touches will be added. It will be a beautiful garden interchange for everyone," he told reporters yesterday. The project was completed nine months ahead of schedule. Ting said piling to strengthen the foundation of all the four bridges started on May 6 lastyearand on Oct 31 the same year, casting of concrete on the Kuching-to-airport bridge was carried out. He added that yesterday, they were able to cast the last part of the project - the Kuching-to-Serian bridge. Ting said last Dec 31, the first bridge from Kuching to the airport was opened to the public on a trial basis. At that time, Global Upline announced the targeted completion date would be Mar 31 this year and the interchange would be fully open to traffic by the third week of April. "The contract was signed on Dec 12 last year. So we are very pleased the project has been completed very much earlier than scheduled," he said. Among those present were project chief secretary Puan Sri Wong Sui Chuo, deputy project director Bobby Ting and project manager Michael Ting.

Source from: The Borneo Post, 2007-03-30