Sarawak Introduces HIM Technology In Northern Coastal Highway Project
LIMBANG: The implementation of Highway Information Modelling (HIM) in the construction of the Northern Coastal Highway marks a new step by the Sarawak Government towards modern and sustainable infrastructure development, without compromising the natural beauty of the state’s northern region.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said the use of HIM reflects the state government’s commitment to ensuring that development goes hand in hand with environmental protection, in line with Sarawak’s vision of becoming a developed state by 2030.
He explained that this approach not only safeguards environmental sustainability but also allows important data to be stored systematically for long-term maintenance.
“HIM technology uses digital simulation that enables every component of the highway to be designed and analysed in advance, including its impact on the environment, soil structure and utility routes.
“What’s important is that we must not develop the state at the expense of its natural beauty.
“Lawas is naturally beautiful, and this project applies HIM technology to ensure that construction works do not damage the environment,” he said.
He said this during a press conference following the launching ceremony of the Northern Coastal Highway at the Limbang Recreation Field on Saturday.
He added that HIM technology also offers advantages in monitoring and storing utility data such as electricity, water and telecommunications, which are placed within a dedicated utility corridor to facilitate future maintenance.
“We are now using a new, modern and systematic method. Aside from ensuring that development is carried out sustainably, HIM also allows us to store utility route data in a dedicated corridor, making future maintenance work easier,” he said.
The Northern Coastal Highway project, worth over RM6 billion, includes the construction of a four-lane road from Limbang to Lawas, complete with an iconic bridge design and a state-of-the-art ‘exchange terminal’ system for road users’ convenience.
The implementation of this project is further proof of the state government’s commitment, under the leadership of the Premier of Sarawak, to accelerate rural infrastructure development in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) and the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Lawas Member of Parliament, Dato Henry Sum Agong, RECODA Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ismawi Ismuni, Batu Danau Assemblyman, Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang and other guests. -UKASnews
