Kuching: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen has urged Sarawak Metro to address residents’ safety concerns following ongoing construction works for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project near Taman Stutong Indah.
“As the main implementing agency, Sarawak Metro needs to engage openly with affected communities and demonstrate accountability throughout the project’s progress,” Dr Kelvin Yii said in a statement.
Dr Kelvin Yii, accompanied by his special assistant, George Lam, recently visited the Sarawak branch of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to seek clarification on whether the project complies with construction safety standards.
He said his service centre had received complaints from residents whose daily lives had been disrupted by the construction, with grievances ranging from excessive dust and debris to inadequate safety measures, improper waste disposal, and sudden road diversions without prior notice.
“Residents have raised serious concerns not only about disruptions but also about their safety and security due to how the works are being carried out.
“While I understand that there will definitely be disruptions due to the construction itself, what cannot be compromised is the safety and security of those around and affected by the construction itself,” he said.
According to him, his team had earlier facilitated a round of discussions between affected households and Sarawak Metro, resulting in several agreed remedial steps.
However, no follow-up action was taken. Letters sent by his office to the company since then have gone unanswered.
Dr Kelvin Yii further highlighted that the ART alignment had been shifted from its original plan, along the Jalan Canna median, as outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, to a route running directly beside residential homes. This, he said, has intensified dissatisfaction among nearby residents.
During the meeting, DOSH Sarawak assured that its Safety Patrol Unit will step up monitoring of the site with fortnightly patrols and compliance audits.
“The department also pledged to audit both Sarawak Metro and the project designers to ensure adherence to the Construction Work Design and Management (CDM) regulations.
“DOSH will be conducting direct audits on-site to ensure that contractors strictly adhere to all safety regulations throughout the construction process,” he said.
