KUCHING: NAIM Group of Companies (NAIM), through its subsidiary Peranan Makmur Sdn Bhd (PMSB), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) to collaborate on the implementation and management of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) at Kuching Paragon.
Minister of Transport Sarawak Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin witnessed the MoU exchange during Sarawak Metro’s ‘Handover of Letter of Award for Kuching Urban Transportation System Project System Package 1 contract to EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd and exchange of MoU between Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd and Ibraco Bhd and Peranan Makmur Sdn Bhd’.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the SEDC, has been entrusted by the Sarawak government to develop KUTS to alleviate traffic congestion in Kuching and its surrounding areas and the development of KUTS is also expected to spur productivity and economic growth.
This is also in line with the Kuching Smart City Masterplan (2021-2025) initiative to address the need for a modern public transportation system and realise Sarawak’s aspiration of becoming a developed and high-income State by 2030.
PMSB director and NAIM Group managing director Datuk Hasmi Hasnan said they are proud to partner with Sarawak Metro in the development of the KUTS, as it will serve to minimise and alleviate traffic congestion across Greater Kuching area.
“Greater Kuching has been experiencing robust growth, with the increase in urban-rural migration as many people enter the city to gain access to new employment and business opportunities.
“We believe that this MoU will help in realising the Premier’s vision for Sarawak to become a developed, high-income economy by 2030, supported by a reliable and effective transportation system that will increase productivity and drive greater economic integration,” Hasmi said.
The development of KUTS is expected to facilitate wider market access and improve connectivity throughout Greater Kuching, linking residential and industrial areas, businesses and institutions of higher education to places of interest for tourism.
With this in mind, PMSB has also proposed the shift of one of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) stations to a location adjacent to Kuching Paragon, Sarawak’s new metropolis, as part of the MoU.
“We believe the KUTS project will act as a catalyst to support the growth of this city in the future, and that it will not only reduce travel time but also enhance connectivity between the city and the surrounding areas.
In fact, the building of the ART station at the new location will improve the quality of life of the residents at Kuching Paragon and the surrounding areas,” Hasmi added.
The state’s integrated public transportation system will be developed in stages, beginning in 2022 and is expected to be operational by 2025, while the entire Phase 1 is expected to be operational by 2027.
At the core of KUTS project is the ART system, a hydrogen-powered autonomous rail transit system which will help in decarbonising the Sarawak’s public transportation system and realise the government’s drive to a hydrogen economy.
One of the first integrated developments designed with a transit-oriented concept, NAIM’s Kuching Paragon is poised to become the city’s next business and lifestyle hubs with positive impact on property values.
Strategically located in Batu Lintang, Kuching, this 33-acre development features diverse components that include luxury condominiums, upcoming Timberland Medical Centre, proposed ART station and designer office blocks, an education centre and a retail mall, all interspersed with lush greenery.
Representing NAIM for the exchange of MoU with Sarawak Metro chief executive officer (CEO) Mazli Mustaffa was Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, a director of PMSB and chief executive officer of Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Masjid Negeri Sarawak.
The exchange of MoU was also witnessed Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Datuk Husain, NAIM chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, and a director of PMSB and general manager of Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak
Datuk Abang Mohamad Shibli Abang Mohamad Nailie.
