Sarawak Cable eyes more projects in 2017

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Toh says there will be more tenders on transmission line and substations to be floated in 2017 while Sarawak Cable aims to continue to bid and secure more.

Toh says there will be more tenders on transmission line and substations to be floated in 2017 while Sarawak Cable aims to continue to bid and secure more.

Group unperturbed by challenges ahead

KUCHING: Sarawak Cable Bhd (Sarawak Cable) foresees opportunities in securing more jobs this year despite economic headwinds expected in 2017.

When asked about the group’s resolutions or expectations for 2017, Sarawak Cable Group’s managing director Aaron Toh shared with The Borneo Post: “There will be more tenders on transmission line and substations to be floated in 2017 and we shall continue to bid and secure some.

“We are also hoping to participate in the power relocation sub-contract works (PRW) and are confident to secure some in the near future.

“In terms of supply business, apart from the recent supply contract worth RM20.5 million for the initial few packages under utility relocation works (URW) for the Pan Borneo Highway development project, there are also additional supply contract received from (national power utility company) Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) that helps to boost our overall cable sales for 2017.

“In line with further progress for URW, there will be more supplies to come.

“Recently we secured a 500kV and 275kV double circuit transmission line project from TNB worth RM55.9 million.

“These contracts are expected to contribute positively to the earnings and net assets of Sarawak Cable Group for the financial years ending 2017 to 2019,” he said.

Toh revealed that Sarawak Cable’s total order book as of September 30, 2016 stood at RM1.14 billion.

At present, he noted the group’s 500kV transmission line project in Sarawak is still on-going and progressing towards completion by March 2017 for Package B, from Mapai, Kanowit to Lachau, Sri Aman.

As for Package C from Lachau to Tondong, Bau, he noted it is very much subject to clearance of wayleave issue by the project owner, SEB.

In the meantime, Toh also shared that Sarawak Cable is the local main sub-contractor for the Balingian coal-fired power plant project and has commenced works since January 2015.

He disclosed that the project has been progressing well with 72 per cent completion as at end of December 2016 and shall be ready for commissioning by March 2018 as per original schedule.

On another note, Toh observed that the construction works for the group’s mini-hydro power plant in Indonesia is still on-going but faced slight obstacles.

He explained that there was delay due to unforeseen circumstances.

However, Toh noted major hiccups have been cleared and the group is expected to complete the remaining 10 per cent to meet the duly scheduled testing and commissioning towards 2Q17.

For 2017, Toh stressed, “We always try our best efforts to keep our overall order book exceeding RM1 billion at all times.

“As for project tenders, we are hoping to replenish at least RM300 million or more for 2017,” he said.