Fadillah (third left), flanked by Ruziah on his left and Omar, presents a RM500 contribution to Zahra Alireza Nabizadeh Fard Shirazi.
KUCHING (June 29): Plans to ease congestion at the busy Matang roundabout near Emart will require a new technical design after the previous underpass plan was found unfeasible, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
The Petra Jaya MP said studies conducted by the Public Works Department (JKR) concluded that building an underpass at the roundabout would be highly challenging due to the extensive underground utility infrastructure in the area.
“Previously, we proposed constructing an underpass at the Emart roundabout. However, studies conducted by JKR found that it was not suitable because of the large number of underground utilities.
“Relocating major water pipes, electrical cables and other utility infrastructure would have caused significant disruption,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Recognition of Inspiring Students Excellence (RISE) programme at SM Sains Kuching Utara here yesterday.
He was responding to a question on traffic congestion in Petra Jaya, particularly around the Normah Medical Specialist Centre.
Fadillah said as such, JKR would need to develop a new technical design before any future improvements could be considered.
He added that a similar approach would apply to other congestion hotspots, including the roundabout near Normah Medical Specialist Centre, where any proposal for an underpass or flyover would first require comprehensive technical and traffic studies by JKR and the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).
Meanwhile, he said DBKU, together with the police and other relevant agencies, will continue to deploy traffic wardens at key junctions to help improve traffic flow during peak hours while longer-term solutions are being studied.
Earlier, Fadillah presented RM500 each to 150 outstanding 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers under the RISE programme, involving a total allocation of RM75,000.
He stressed that the contribution was not merely a form of recognition but also an encouragement for the students to remain motivated as they pursue higher education and continue their academic journey.
Also present were his wife Datin Amar Ruziah Mohd Tahir and Sarawak Education director Omar Mahli.
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