Lundu: The long-awaited Selampit Bridge construction project has hit delays after an error in the initial Soil Investigation (SI) report led to major setbacks in planning and implementation, says Mas Gading MP, Mordi Bimol.
As informed, he stated that the main contractor is Empayar Setia Sdn. Bhd., reported the discovery of a rock layer at the riverbed during the construction of a temporary bridge near the project site, contradicting the findings of the original soil investigation, which had stated that no rock layer was present.
“As a result, the contractor requested a second round of soil testing to verify the ground conditions. The consulting firm, Concept-P Jurutera Sdn. Bhd., supported the move, stressing that ‘foundation is the most important thing in a construction.’
“The follow-up study confirmed the contractor’s concerns, revealing a 0.5-meter rock layer at the actual bridge site. This finding has forced a redesign of the bridge structure, which will affect both the project’s cost and timeline,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, Mordi made an official visit to the construction site of the Kampung Selampit Bridge project.
Also present were representatives from Concept-P Jurutera Sdn. Bhd., Empayar Setia Sdn. Bhd., JKR Sarawak, as well as several residents from Kampung Selampit and Bitokan.
Based on the explanation during the visit, Mordi stated that the project was initially scheduled for completion on 3 March 2026. After the first Extension of Time (EOT) was approved, the new completion date is 7 June 2026.
“The contractor is likely to apply for a second EOT and push the deadline to December 2026.
“As of September 25, 2025, the project’s physical progress stood at 23.46% against the target of 25.74%, while financial progress was 27.40% compared to the target of 30.13%,” he said.
The government, through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, has approved an allocation of RM27.92 million for the construction of the Selampit Bridge.
However, the current project scope does not include the construction of permanent access roads on both sides of the bridge.
According to the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Hajah Rubiah Binti Wang, the construction cost of a 1.8-kilometer permanent access road is estimated at RM22 million, and it has been decided that the project will be applied for separately under the First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).
Mordi stressed that he will continue to advocate for the approval to be expedited so that the bridge and access road can be completed simultaneously, thereby ensuring that the residents of Kampung Selampit, Bitokan, and the surrounding areas can fully benefit from this project.
Meanwhile, Mordi stated that other issues faced by the contractor include land acquisition matters, adverse weather conditions, and major floods that occurred from January to March 2025.
