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Malaysia's Infrastructure and Utilities

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#1 ·


Malaysia

From the colonial era, Malaysia inherited relatively well-developed but unevenly distributed infrastructure and transportation networks. After achieving independence, the Malaysian government made considerable efforts and large investments in expanding its highways, railroads, seaports, and airports. More recently, the government played an active role in encouraging development of modern modes of communications such as satellite telecommunications and the Internet. In the late 1990s, the government launched a privatization program in the transportation and communication sector, which brought private investments, allowed more flexibility, and provided initiatives for managers to increase profitability and production efficiency.

Malaysia is served by a network of 94,500 kilometers (58,721 miles) of primary and secondary roads, 70,970 kilometers (44,100 miles) of which are paved. This includes 580 kilometers (360 miles) of superior quality expressways, which connect Kuala Lumpur with Singapore and with major seaports and other destinations. However, the road transportation system is still underdeveloped in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), with most of the roads in Peninsular Malaysia. In the 1990s, with the rapidly growing number of privately-owned cars (840,000 new registrations in 1997 alone), the roads in the capital and other major cities became highly congested. This also brought air pollution in Kuala Lumpur to a very high level, which combined with pollution from forest fires in the Indonesian part of Borneo to create hazardous smog in 1997 and 1998. In 1996, there was a total of almost 7 million motor vehicles registered in Malaysia, including 2.8 million passenger cars, 3.4 million motorcycles and mopeds, 37,000 buses and coaches, and 400,000 trucks and vans. In response to the growing number of cars on the national roads, the government invested in development of the public transport system, including modernization of the country's railways and the construction of a light rapid-transit system in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia has a railway system of about 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles), part of which was planned for privatization in 1998-99. In 2000, only 148 kilometers (92 miles) of railways were electrified. The major tracks run from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, and further to Pinang and Bangkok (Thailand). However, the railways are unevenly distributed. There is only 1 railway track of about 134 kilometers (83 miles) in East Malaysia (in Sabah). Malaysia intends to invest heavily in development of a monorail system in Kuala Lumpur and into building new railways. The biggest project is the US$632 million (RM2.4 billion) Express Rail Link (ERL), which will connect Kuala Lumpur Central (the main railway station in the Kuala Lumpur City) with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). In 1996-97, the 8.6-kilometer Kuala Lumpur People Rapid Transit (monorail) was built at a cost of US$300 million (RM1.14 billion). The U.S.-based Parsons Transportation Group provided design and engineering services to the local Malaysian firm building

Kuala Lumpur's light rail transit systems. Several other multi-multimillion dollar railway projects have been initiated, but some were put on hold due to the difficulties caused by the Asian financial crisis.

Malaysia's seaports were established during the colonial era and served as merchant ports as well as British naval bases. The major ports are Kelang, George Town, Pinang, and Kuantan on the Peninsula, and Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia. During the last few decades, these ports were expanded to serve rapidly-growing Malaysian exports and imports. The West Port of Port Kelang has seen RM2.2 billion worth of combined (private and government) investments, while there has been RM2.8 billion worth of investment in the Tan-jung Pelepas Port. Competition has grown between Malaysia and Singapore for servicing international ships and handling containers, although 40 percent of Malaysia's international trade was handled through Singapore until recently. In 1998 Malaysia's seaports handled 83 million metric tons of cargo. In late 2000, there was an announcement that the world's largest container line, Maersk-Sealand, intends to move its regional trans-shipment operations from Singapore to the Malaysian port in Johor.

Malaysia has also promoted development of aviation in order to serve growing tourism and business needs. The country has 32 airports with paved runways, and 83 airports with unpaved runways. The largest of them, the US$3.2 billion state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was opened in 1998. It is capable of handling 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. U.S. firms, including Harris, FMC, Adtranz, and Honeywell, have been awarded contracts to supply passenger trams, jetways, and information systems for this new airport. Malaysia transformed its national partly-privatized air carrier, Malaysian Airlines, into a world-class company, operating a fleet of about 100 aircraft.

In Peninsular Malaysia, electrical power is supplied by the predominantly state-controlled Tenaga Nasional company. Due to the rapid industrial development and growing demand for electricity, considerable efforts were made to privatize the national utility company and develop private initiatives to build and operate new power generating plants. To this end, a private consortium, the Independent Power Providers (IPPs), was established. Malaysia has sufficient reserves of oil, gas, and coal to meet its energy needs. Additionally, in East Malaysia there is huge potential for building hydroelectric power plants, but their development will require considerable investments. In the mid-1990s, the Malaysian government considered building the Bakun Hydro-electric Dam, which would have been one of the world's largest dams, in Sarawak; the controversial plan was abandoned, however, due to financial difficulties. In 1998, Malaysia produced 57.45 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), 94 percent of which was produced using fossil fuel and 5.22 percent by hydroelectric power plants.

Telecommunications services in Malaysia are provided by several competing companies. The largest is Telecom Malaysia, which formerly had a state monopoly in the sector. The quality of telecommunication services is up to international standards, thanks to an inflow of private investments and the government's initiatives in developing this sector. In 1998, the country had 4.4 million telephone lines and 2.17 million mobile phones. In 1999 there were 8 major Internet service providers (including Telecom Malaysia, MIMOS Ltd., and Maxis Ltd.), with a number of new companies announcing their intention to enter the market. In 1998, the Malaysian government announced the development of the multi-billion-dollar Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). This ambitious project, 15 kilometers wide and 50 kilometers long, and stretching from Kuala Lumpur to the new international airport, is planned to become a Malaysian "Silicon Valley." The MSC will include 2 "smart cities," employing a high-technology environment, high-capacity telecommunications, sophisticated infrastructure, and even "electronic government."

Source : Encyclopedia of the Nations

 
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#333 ·
Conference On Rural Infrastructure In Sabah And Sarawak Next Year
December 18, 2009 18:58 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=463241

PETALING JAYA, Dec 18 (Bernama) - A conference to discuss on upgrading rural infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development would be held in February next year, an official said on Friday.

Urban and Rural Planning Officer of the Sarawak Land and Survey Department Hashimi Alwi said the conference would focus on how to achieve adequate supplies for rural development in Sabah and Sarawak as targeted in the NKRA.

"Next year, conference will be held on this to ensure there is a sufficient supply of contractors, consultants, materials and machines towards implementing projects suggested by the NKRA's Rural Basic Infrastructure (RBI) Laboratory," he said in his presentation at the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Open Day here.

Hashimi, who is also a team member in the RBI Lab, also said that the projects on improving rural basic infrastructure, which had been decided by the government to be implemented next year, would be announced through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development's website on December 28.

-- BERNAMA
 
#334 ·
Government Projects Will Reduce Development Gap
December 22, 2009 17:32 PM

KUCHING, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The implementation of various projects that have been planned by the federal and the state government will reduce the development gap between the rural and urban areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said this at the launching of The Desa Cemerlang Award Ceremony at a leading hotel, here last night.

He said with the Desa Cemerlang competition, the development of rural areas especially in the villages and longhouses could be speeded up through the cooperation of the people with the Gerakan Daya Wawasan.

"Our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) has targeted that in 10 years' time, the development of rural areas can balance the development in urban areas," said Jabu.

He also suggested that the Desa Cemerlang competition be held annually instead of once in two years to spearhead the development efforts in the year 2020.

He said to further spur the development rate, the State Government had invested substantially in the academic sector with the establishment of higher institutions of learning in the state.

"With proper educational facilities, the young people will have the chance to improve their way of life," he said.

At the ceremony, Kampung Uma Belor from Kapit emerged as the winner of the 2009 Desa Cemerlang competition to grab the RM10,000 cash prize, trophy and certificate.

First runner up was Kampung Stass Bau while second runner up was Kampung Selanyau Bekenu Miri which received RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively.

A total of 61 villages and longhouses participated in this competition.

-- BERNAMA
 
#335 ·
5-Year Plan To Create Liveable City In Sarawak Major Towns
January 10, 2010 16:32 PM

KUCHING, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The Housing and Urban Development Ministry has come up with a five-year urban development plan in the effort to create a liveable city environment in major towns and cities in the state, its minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

He said among programmes under the plan was an activity called "renewal of city" which would be held in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri aimed at creating a resident and visitor-friendly atmosphere.

"The plan will run from 2010 to 2015 and will include upgrading of traffic and public transportation system apart from providing more parks and recreational facilities," he said at a media appreciation dinner organised by the Housing Development Corporation here Saturday night.

Abang Johari said the ministry would take a cue from Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority in managing its city renewal initiative.

"We will not follow 100 per cent but to translate certain of ideas into action," he said.

Abang Johari said the ministry would also develop a water taxi facility at the Sungai Sarawak as a tourism product and as a means to tackle traffic congestion around Kuching.

"Now, we have landmark buildings such as the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching and the under-construction new Satok Market near the historical Satok Bridge. These will be tourist attractions in the future," he said.

Those who lived across the Sungai Sarawak could use water taxis to the city to save costs and time, he said.

On effort to upgrade traffic and public transportation, Abang Johari said the ministry would come up with a more holistic system using the latest technology to address the worsening situation.

"It is not the conventional way. I will only announce it when the time comes," he said.

-- BERNAMA
 
#336 ·
S’wak to gain from infrastructure devt
January 15, 2010, Friday



BOOST FOR SARAWAK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (centre)
witnesses a ceremony along with Liu Zhenya (third left), president of State
Grid Corporation of China, as Shahrol Halmi (second right), CEO of 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB), exchanges agreement documents with Du
Zhingang, chief economist of State Grid Coorporation of China, in Kuala
Lumpur on Jan 11. Also seen is Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib
Mahmud (right). Malaysia inked a US$11 billion deal with a Chinese state-
linked firm to develop projects in Sarawak. — AFP file photo

KUCHING: The local construction sector will witness tough competition as more contracts will be awarded on an open tender basis this year as greater emphasis will be placed on infrastructure development in East Malaysia, particularly Sarawak.

OSK Research Sdn Bhd (OSK Research) in its research report highlighted that four sector themes are likely to emerge as mainly less than RM500 million worth projects and midsized projects of between RM500 million to RM999 million are expected to be awarded this year.

Tracking the construction jobs announced on Bursa Malaysia Bhd, the RM10.5 billion in domestic contracts announced in 2009 stood at an average value per job of RM191 million, it pointed out.

Further, likely on the line, the pump priming will remain centred on smaller sized jobs as more projects can be implemented, thus benefiting a larger pool of contractors and their approvals would be faster rather than larger sized jobs. The research firm believed the key beneficiaries would be smaller sized contractors.

While the market has high expectations concerning the award of mega projects, only a few of them will be materialise this year. Award momentum for the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) appeared to be picking up, with Gadang Holdings yesterday securing the earthworks package 2 (EW2) which worth RM291 million, it revealed.

To recap, earthworks package 1 (EW1) worth RM363 million was awarded late last year to WCT Bhd (WCT). It was highlighted that the front runners for the LCCT runway (RM400- 500 million) were Gamuda Bhd (Gamuda) and WCT given their track records with Doha Airport.

On the other hand, East Malaysia has the highest number of poor households.

The research house felt that the current administration of the government needed to ensure greater development within East Malaysia as these states played an important role during the Barisan Nasional 2008 general election win.

Moving ahead, Budget 2010 saw a RM2.3 billion allocation for infrastructure upgrades in rural areas, most of which are centred on East Malaysia.

The best way to play this theme was via Sarawakbased contractors as the state was expected to hold its elections by end-2010/ early-2011, which in itself provided strong “political incentive” to ensure that projects rolled out before the polls, said the research firm.

Recently, China-owned State Grid Corp of China signed an agreement with 1Malaysia Development Bhd to invest in projects within SCORE, which could create as much as US$11 billion in economic value. The key beneficiaries are Cahya Mata Sarawak, Hock Seng Lee and Naim Holdings.

Despite all the factors, OSK Research remained positive on the rating of the construction sector as there would be more positive news flow in the coming months. Its top picks were Mudajaya with the target price (TP) of RM6.15 accompanied by WCT with TP of RM3.30 and Naim Holdings at TP: RM3.93.
 
#337 ·
Sabah on track with 9MP spending
8th January, 2010



Musa (centre) addressing the media with Sukarti (second left)
and Matusin (second right)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah spent RM12.43 billion or 62.8 per cent of the allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) as of 31 December 2009 and is confident it can use up 80 per cent of the total by the end of 2010.

The total allocated for the state is RM19.778 billion.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the percentage of expenditure for 2009 is expected to increase even after the deadline for payment ends today as there are many other claims that have not been settled.

Speaking to the media after chairing the Sabah State Action Council meeting at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday, Musa said of the 3,599 development projects, at least 1,430 projects worth RM3.67 billion have been completed.

Another 1,946 projects costing some RM14.86 billion are in the implementation stage and while some are progressing according to schedule, quite a number are expected to be ahead of schedule.

He therefore urged all departments and agencies to double their efforts so that the remaining 37.2 per cent or RM7.36 billion of the 9MP allocation can be spent fully this year.

Musa who is also the Finance Minister was pleased to hear from the Sabah Development Office that the progress of projects under 9MP is running smoothly.

He reminded presidents of municipal councils and district officers to continue monitoring projects under the 9MP. Meanwhile, on another issue, Musa said there was no need for the state government to prepare a White Paper on Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) as challenged by SAPP.

The Chief Minister said it was more important to work on increasing the share value of SAS.

Also present at the meeting were State Secretary, Datuk Sukarti Wakiman, Sabah Federal Secretary, Datuk Mohammad Hatta Ab Aziz, SDO director, Haji Matusin Sunsang and heads of departments.
 
#338 ·
Terengganu to set up medical college with Dublin institution
Saturday December 19, 2009

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu will open its first medical college next year.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said this upon his return from a pilgrimage to Mecca at Sultan Mahmud Airport here on Tuesday.

Ahmad said the state would sign an agreement with Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) to set up the institution here.

RCSI is a Dublin-based medical institution and one of five prestigious universities in Ireland.

It dates back to 1784 and presently incorporates schools in medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing while providing medical education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Ahmad Said, however, declined to divulge details such as cost and site for the new college.

It is poised to provide quality medical courses for Malaysians who can pursue their ambition without going abroad.

“Details about the college will be unveiled at the State Legislative Assembly on Dec 21. You have to wait for the information,” said the Mentri Besar. — By R.S.N. MURALI
 
#339 ·
Two premier universities to set up campuses in Besut by June
Friday January 1, 2010

KUALA TERENGGANU: Besut will be turned into an Education City in 2010 under a state government initiative to make the district a global hub for higher learning.

The placid district located along the Terengganu/Kelantan border will see the establishment of two premier universities there, scheduled by the middle of this year while another English language college is poised to also make its debut sometime in 2010.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said revealed that the Dublin-based Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University of Waikato, New Zealand were the two education institutions that would be setting up campuses here.

“We have earmarked Besut Knowledge Park to house these universities and plan to attract students from China to pursue English at the soon-to-open Language College,” he said after chairing the weekly state Exco meeting here.

RCSI has a history that dates back to 1784 and presently incorporates schools of medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing, providing both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of medical education.

University of Waikato, established in 1964, is expected to take in 1,000 students at its Besut campus, offering nursing-related courses.

The state government will ink a memorandum of understanding with Waikato in January.

As for RCSI, Ahmad said he would be meeting the university’s officials this month to discuss the finer details on the setting up of the campus.

“The opening of Royal College of Surgeons here will eliminate the need for us to send our students to Indonesia to pursue medicine,” he said.

He said the Malaysian campus would also be accepting foreign students, adding that the cost of pursuing medicine in Dublin could come up to 420,000.

Ahmad said 40ha at the Knowledge Park had been designated for these universities and the language college.

“The park will boost educational facilities, research complex and hostels in the state.

“Our aim is to make Terengganu the centre of educational excellence in this region,” he added.

At a separate event, the Mentri Besar announced the state government’s allocation of RM250mil for education this year, up from RM200mil in 2009.

He said the government was concerned about educational development and the performance of students in the state.

“It’s good that the people of Terengganu are increasingly aware of the importance of getting a good education. This is proven by the excellent performance by our students in the UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM examinations.”

Ahmad said this after presenting awards from the Terengganu Foundation to 6,740 students.Marhaina Ismail, 19, from Marang and a chemical engineering student at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Tronoh, Perak, received the gold medal for academic excellence.

Terengganu Foundation director Md Kamarul Al-Amin Ismail said the foundation had set aside RM20mil for various educational aid to benefit 26,000 students, compared with RM18.9mil last year.
 
#341 · (Edited)
Ongoing Project
Senai Airport's Aero Mall
The aero mall is the first stand-alone external airport mall in Malaysia. The mall is a natural extension of Senai International Airport's current services to better serve valued customers and business partners. With more than 45 major multinational manufacturers and almost 40,000 people working and living within a 2km radius of the airport, the aero mall is set to serve as a focal point for the rapidly expanding Senai commercial, industrial and residential hub. It is due to be completed in 2010.



UPDATE:



The RM93mil Aero Mall at Senai International Airport is
expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2010.
 
#342 ·
Ongoing Project
Sungai Johor Bridge
Source: http://www.sde.com.my/



The Johor River Bridge or Jambatan Sungai Johor is a major bridge across Johor River on Senai-Desaru Expressway. The 1.7 kilometre cable stayed bridge connects Kong Kong in the west to Teluk Sengat in the east. When completed, it will become a major landmark of Johor and become the longest river bridge in Malaysia after Raja Pemaisuri Bainun Bridge (Sungai Dinding Bridge) in Perak.

Structural Type: Cable-stayed bridge
Contractor: Ranhill Engineers and Constructors Sdn Bhd
Main span: 500 m
Total length: 1,708 m
Height: 150 m





From flickr



 
#343 · (Edited)
Ongoing Project
Penang Second Crossing Bridge
Source: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Penang_Second_Bridge



Overall length - 24 km (15 miles)
Length over water - 17 km (10 miles)
Main span : Length - 250 m (-- feet)
Height clearance (above water) – 30 m (-- feet)
Number of vehicle lanes – 2 + 1 for motorcycles (each direction)
Average time taken to drive from Batu Kawan to Batu Maung – 20 mins
Proposed speed limit on bridge – 80 km/h (-- mph)
Percentage of local contents to be used - 60%[/SIZE]





Photo by kubundu



From flickr



 
#344 · (Edited)
Ongoing Project
Coastal highway linking Nusajaya with Johor Baru
30.6-km



All that remains is for the road networks and connections to be improved. A new 30.6-km coastal highway linking Nusajaya with Johor Baru will cost RM$1.1 billion. The six-lane highway, to be ready in three years, would have seven bridges and three multi-tiered junctions. A coastal highway, to be privatised, is expected to ease traffic flow between the city centre and the JSNAC in Nusajaya with junctions located at Jalan Abu Bakar, next to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital and at Danga Bay.
by JB Citizens (+_+)

 
#347 · (Edited)
Perak, Kedah



Penang, Perlis

Ongoing Project
Electrified Double Track between Ipoh to Padang Besar
(329 km)
KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) PROJECT





FACT FIND
The Berapit tunnel (Perak) will be the longest railway twin single-track tunnels in South East Asia with a distance of 3.3km in length.
FACT FIND
Larut Tunnel, 0.33km (Perak)

 
#348 · (Edited)
Kuala Lumpur

Ongoing Project
Electrified Double Track between Sentul to Batu Caves
(7.2 km)
A 7.2 km, four-station extension from the Sentul station to Batu Caves has been approved. The project - which will cost RM515 million - will include electrification, double-tracking and refitting the existing old track, signalling, communications, as well as construction of new stations at Sentul, Batu Cantonment, Batu Village, Taman Wahyu and Batu Caves. Site possession was given to contractor YTL Corporation Berhad on November 17, 2006, and the project is to be completed by April 2010. The Sentul station is part of the Sentul Raya masterplan development under YTL.

Sentul Integrated Station



Batu Caves station (1/1/2010)



Taman Wahyu station

 
#349 ·
Kuala Lumpur

Ongoing Project
Integrated transport terminal (ITT)
@ Bandar Tasik Selatan



- Automatic Number Plate Detection CCTV
- Interactive Public Information Display System
- Dedicated bay for arrival and departure bus for proper bus management
- OKU friendly - special tactile, toilet, lift
- Air-conditioned waiting hall, retail
- Integrated with LRT Ampang Line, ERL, KTM

UPDATE:
Integrated Transport Terminal @ Bandar Tasik



 
#352 · (Edited)
Railway New Arrivals
KUALA LUMPUR



Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras (Rapid KL)
Kelana Jaya Line



New four-car trains officially begin service, while the remaining 32 four-car trains will be gradually introduced into service through April 2011. while the remaining 32 four-car trains will be gradually introduced into service through April 2011.

 
#353 ·
Selangor + Kuala Lumpur

Ongoing Project
Rapid KL LRT - Line Extension



Syarikat Prasarana Negara began displaying the alignment of the proposed extensions (Kelana Jaya and Sri Petaling Line) to the public over a 3-month period for feedback. The Kelana Jaya extension will see 13 new stations over a length of 17 km from Kelana Jaya to Putra Heights.

Ampang Line (Sentul Timur-Sri Petaling)



Kelana Jaya Line



Ampang Line extension



Kelana Jaya Line extension



Source: http://www.lrtextension.com/
 
#355 ·
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