Conference can create infrastructure, construction solutions, says Masing
MIRI: The international conference on Durability of Building and Infrastructures ( DuraBI) has been called an opportunity to create solutions for infrastructure development and the construction industry.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said the state government is prioritising the development of infrastructure and transportation.
“Road interconnectivity has been a high priority of the federal and state’s government’s plans, and a prerequisite for the rapid development in Sarawak,” he said in a speech read by Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi during the opening ceremony yesterday.
“Major investment in Sarawak’s transportation network has been made, in particular the multibillion ringgit Pan Borneo highway project, which is expected to link up people and cities within Sarawak. When completed in early 2022, the 1,089km long highway will be the catalyst of growth in the state, changing the economic landscape of Sarawak to one of a thriving and prosperous economy, leading to developedstate status by 2030.”
Masing said other improvements to air, sea and land connections continue to ease the flow of goods and people within and outside Sarawak.
“These efforts are expected to provide a substantial increase in capacity and capability, which should provide a strong base for the expected growth of Sarawak in the coming years,” he added.
The conference, which ends tomorrow (Jan 12), aims to become a global forum for researchers and engineers to present and discuss recent innovations and new techniques in civil engineering, architectural engineering and material science.
The conference is organised in collaboration with the DuraBI Centre at Hanyang University, Erica campus, South Korea; Korea Institute for Structural Maintenance and Inspection, South Korea; Curtin University Malaysia; Yamaguchi University Japan; Curtin University Australia; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; and Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Among those present were Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation permanent secretary Datu Safri Zainudin, Curtin University Malaysia deputy pro vice- chancellor Prof Beena Giridharan, Curtin Malaysia Faculty of Engineering and Science dean Prof Lau Hieng Ho, conference chairs Prof HanSeung Lee of Hanyang University South Korea, Prof Nam- Gi Lim of Korea Institute for Structural Maintenance and Inspection South Korea, and Curtin Malaysia Assoc Prof Mohamed Abdel Kader Ismail.