Dr Yii: DoSH Sarawak to monitor ART project after residents raise safety concerns
By Lim How Pim on August 23, 2025, Saturday at 2:03 PM


Dr Yii (centre) brings up the matter at the meeting with Jamadi. Also seen is Lam.

KUCHING (Aug 23): The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DoSH) Sarawak will closely monitor the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project at Taman Stutong Indah following safety concerns raised by local residents, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.

He said DoSH Sarawak director Jamadi Yusup assured him during a courtesy call yesterday that the department’s Safety Patrol Unit (SPU) will conduct patrols at the ART construction site at least once every two weeks to ensure contractors comply with all safety requirements.

“DoSH Sarawak will also do compliance audits not only on Sarawak Metro as the client but also on the project designers to ensure safety requirements are incorporated into the design and adhere to the Construction Work Design and Management (CDM) regulations.

“In addition, DoSH Sarawak will be conducting direct audits on-site to ensure that contractors strictly adhere to all safety regulations throughout the construction process,” he said in a statement today.

The Democratic Action Party lawmaker said he brought the matter to DoSH after the project undertaker allegedly failed to address residents’ complaints.

He stressed that safety compliance is crucial given the project’s proximity to homes, noting that the ART track alignment was changed from its original route along Jalan Canna’s median, as stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), to its current position closer to residential areas.

He said the implementing agency must be willing to engage openly with the affected residents and demonstrate accountability, and to try allay their concerns.

“While I understand that there will definitely be disruptions due to the construction itself, but what cannot be compromised is the safety and security of those around and affected by the construction itself.”

The visit was made following complaints from residents whose daily lives have been disrupted by the project, and are concerned about their safety and security due to the ongoing contruction.

The affected residents turned to his service centre for assistance after their complaints to Sarawak Metro went unanswered.

Dr Yii said his team first received complaints last month and immediately engaged with affected households to better understand the issues they were facing.

Residents reported inadequate safety measures, excessive dust and debris, improper waste disposal, and sudden road diversions without notice.

He said his special assistant George Lam wrote to Sarawak Metro and facilitated initial tripartite discussions, during which remedial measures were agreed upon.

However, no follow-up action was taken, and a subsequent letter to the company went unanswered.

DoSH’s involvement comes amid continued dissatisfaction among residents whose daily lives have been disrupted by the project.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/08/23/dr...afety-concerns/