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When people think of Sarawak, they often picture its lush rainforests, rich cultural heritage, and the warm, quiet charm of its capital city, Kuching. But beyond its beauty lies a unique logistical reality—Sarawak is geographically separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the vast South China Sea. This distance alone introduces challenges in securing materials, equipment, and manpower for large-scale construction projects.

So when our team was awarded a RM700 million project in mid-2021, we knew the task ahead would be demanding. What we did not expect was that we would be building this project during one of the most disruptive periods in modern history—the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 2020 and 2022, Malaysia underwent several phases of lockdowns and movement control orders (MCO). Sarawak, in particular, was among the last regions to exit the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in April 2022. This meant that near the very start of our project, we were already facing severe constraints.

Yet, despite everything, the project was completed on schedule, safely, and with high quality.

This is the story of how we built through crisis.

Unprecedented Challenges

1. Lockdowns and Restrictions

Malaysia imposed a full lockdown from 1–28 June 2021, followed by the four phases of the NRP. Construction activities were tightly regulated, and many projects—including ours—were categorized as non-essential, meaning only limited work scopes and hours were allowed

2. Unpredictable Pandemic Conditions

Even before we gained momentum, delays became unavoidable. The original 23-month schedule grew increasingly tight as new SOPs, manpower constraints, and movement restrictions came into effect

3. Material Shortages

Sarawak’s limited local supply meant most critical materials had to be shipped from Peninsular Malaysia. The global supply chain crisis resulted in:

• Shipment delays
• Material shortages
• Sudden price fluctuations 

This severely affected planning and sequencing.

4. Equipment Scarcity

When non-essential projects were finally allowed to resume, the demand for equipment skyrocketed. Availability of machinery, plant, and heavy equipment became a major industry-wide issue.

5. Manpower Limitations

Labor availability was one of the biggest challenges:

• Foreign workers’ permits expired during the lockdown period
• New immigration regulations in Sarawak and Indonesia slowed the renewal and entry processes
• Experienced workers returned home, leaving a gap in skilled manpower

6. Strict Health SOPs

Daily health checks, social distancing, illness-related absences, and quarantine protocols significantly reduced effective work hours. Progress slowed simply because fewer workers could operate within safe distancing rules.

Strategic Solutions That Kept the Project Moving

Despite these challenges, our team refused to compromise on safety, quality, or schedule. A series of strategic, coordinated efforts enabled us to navigate the crisis successfully.

1. Detailed Planning & Micro-Scheduling

We developed comprehensive recovery and catch-up plans, breaking tasks into micro-level schedules to identify every possible opportunity for time savings.

2. Enhanced Coordination & Monitoring

The number of site personnel was increased to strengthen coordination. Each team had clear leaders responsible for monitoring progress and making rapid decisions.

3. Strong Teamwork & Communication

Frequent communication—both within teams and between departments—became a crucial factor in maintaining alignment and solving issues quickly.

4. Active Support from Headquarters

Despite being hundreds of kilometers away, our HQ team provided continuous guidance using digital tools such as teleconferencing and remote monitoring. Problems were identified early, and solutions were developed collaboratively.

5. Strengthening Health & Safety Measures

We improved SOP compliance, enhanced sanitation measures, and promoted health awareness to reduce infection risks and avoid disruptions caused by manpower shortages.

6. Engineering Innovation

Engineering played a key role in overcoming technical and supply challenges. Notable strategies included:

• Using multiple piling systems to cope with material shortages
• Substituting conventional reinforced concrete methods with precast and post-tensioned systems to save time and reduce manpower
• Preparing M&E works ahead of time to recover delays

These innovations helped maintain both progress and quality while adapting to pandemic constraints.

7. Strong Collaboration with Clients & Authorities

Labor shortages were tackled through frequent multi-party meetings involving clients, contractors, and local authorities. Issues were addressed systematically, allowing foreign workers to gradually return to the site.

The Result: A Success Story in a Difficult Era

Despite the global crisis, strict regulations, and severe resource shortages, the project was completed on time, delivered with high-quality workmanship, and achieved zero major safety incidents. This accomplishment stands as a testament to the team’s determination, resilience, and adaptability.

Closing Reflections

The COVID-19 pandemic was a once-in-a-generation crisis that affected every industry, but construction—an industry reliant on physical labor, materials, and logistics—felt the impact especially deeply.

Completing a major project during this challenging period was no small feat. It required commitment, creativity, discipline, and teamwork at every level.

Today, we are proud not only of the final result, but of the journey that made us stronger. The experience has prepared us to face future challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and readiness.