3 July 2026 | Sarawak Metro, Kuching
As part of its professional engagement programme in Sarawak, the Association of Construction Project Managers Malaysia (ACPM) conducted a technical visit to Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd and the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project on 3 July 2026.
The visit provided ACPM Council Members and members with an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the planning and implementation of one of Sarawak’s major transportation infrastructure initiatives.
Understanding KUTS and the ART System
The visit began with a comprehensive technical briefing by Sarawak Metro covering the overall Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) and its key components.
At the heart of KUTS is the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system — a trackless public transportation system using hydrogen-powered vehicles and dedicated lanes.
The briefing introduced the delegation to the ART system, transit network, stations, depot facilities, signalling and control systems, operations as well as the supporting technology required for an integrated urban transportation network.
Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Mobility
A particularly interesting aspect of the visit was KUTS’ focus on green hydrogen technology.
The ART vehicles are designed as zero-emission vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, reflecting Sarawak’s wider direction towards cleaner mobility and sustainable transportation.
The session provided members with valuable exposure to how emerging technology, sustainability objectives and major infrastructure development can be integrated within a complex transportation programme.
From Planning to Project Delivery
Beyond the technology itself, the visit offered valuable project management perspectives on the delivery of a large and multi-faceted infrastructure programme.
Discussions and briefings touched on project delivery, stakeholder coordination, risk management, innovation adoption and the challenges of coordinating multiple systems and infrastructure components.
The delegation was also briefed on the development of the Rembus ART Depot in Kota Samarahan, together with progress across the KUTS Blue and Red Line packages.
Building Local Capacity Through the SEED Programme
Another notable initiative shared during the visit was Sarawak Metro’s Socio-economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme.
The programme seeks to maximise wider benefits arising from KUTS procurement through areas such as local content development, transfer of knowledge, strategic partnerships, research and development, human resource development and strengthening local industry capacity.
For construction project management professionals, this demonstrated how major infrastructure projects can create value beyond physical project delivery by contributing towards longer-term industry capability and socio-economic development.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Technical visits such as this form an important part of ACPM’s commitment to continuous professional development and industry knowledge sharing.
Seeing how a major infrastructure programme integrates project management, technology, sustainability, transportation systems and stakeholder coordination provides valuable practical learning that can be shared across the wider project management community.
The visit concluded on a warm note with an exchange of tokens of appreciation between ACPM and Sarawak Metro, reflecting the friendship and professional relationship established through the engagement.
The visit was an insightful experience and another meaningful step in strengthening professional connections and knowledge exchange within Malaysia’s construction and infrastructure industry.
Association of Construction Project Managers Malaysia (ACPM)
Agent of Change for a Productive Malaysia