KUCHING – The success of the Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Sarawak and its frontline staff were commemorated during an appreciation night with Grand Excellence Gala 2026 which took place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Some 1,000 staff from various parts of the state attended the event, showing just how big and important is the workforce and operation in Sarawak for the department.
Its director Datu Dr Cassidy Morris said JKR Sarawak recorded 98.79 percent project implementation and nearly 99 percent financial development performance rate in 2025. He attributed the suspensions in successes to the common effort of workers from every level.
“It gives us a tremendous sense of pride as they are the fruitful outcome of the extraordinary efforts made by our JKR Sarawak family in discharging their duties entrusted to them,” he added.
Dr Cassidy said the gala was not only an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the past year, but reaffirm solidarity among staff and define new strategic directions for the year ahead.
He reiterated the department’s commitment to expedite project delivery and help future works still serve the interest of Sarawakians.
The ceremony was held by Sarawak Deputy Premier and MIPD minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who mentioned that JKR Sarawak had been the “backbone” in the state’s development of infrastructure.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said JKR Sarawak plays a crucial role in ensuring inclusive development, especially in the rural as well as remote areas.
“The work of JKR Sarawak may not be seen, but its impact can be felt because the staff are creating more than infrastructure they are providing people of Sarawak with access, opportunity and hope,” he said.
He also stressed that all JKR Sarawak projects have a long-term lifespan value, not only for today’s generation but also future ones.
The gala was a time as well to honor the sacrifices of those soldiers and frontline staff who typically work in arduous conditions from unpredictable weather to remote terrain.
What they have done is to keep those bridges, roads and public facilities open for use that hold us are together by providing an unimpeded mean where communities live, and sustaining incomes can be obtained in Sarawak.
Among the honoured guests were Deputy Ministers of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir. Aidel Lariwoo and Datuk Majang Renggi, MIPD Permanent Secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau as well as Deputy Permanent Secretary Latif Coupon and senior JKR Sarawak staff.
The ceremonies highlight JKR Sarawak’s twin mission: providing quality infrastructure for a modern society and paying tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of its workforce.
This forward-looking department is carrying its principal tasks of improving project implementation processes and of taking development to the already-developed areas of Sarawak.
