KUCHING – Sarawak has marked a significant milestone in engineering history as the state’s Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak) successfully hosted the inaugural Malaysian Regional Geotechnical Engineering Conference 2026 (MRGEC2026).
The three-day event, held from 17 to 19 June at The Imperial Hotel, Kuching, was officiated by the Minister of Works of Malaysia, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The conference brought together more than 700 participants, including industry experts, academics, researchers, and skilled professionals from Malaysia and abroad.
Senior officials in attendance included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak, Datu Chiew Chee Yau; Director of Works Sarawak, Dr Cassidy Morris; Deputy Director General of Works (Infra Sector), Ir. Mohd Shahrom Ahmad Saman; and Deputy Director of Works Sabah, Mohammad Safri Abd Hadi. Their presence underscored the importance of the event in advancing Malaysia’s engineering sector.
Themed “Resilient Ground, Sustainable Future”, MRGEC2026 focused on four key areas: innovation in geotechnics and site investigation, slope stability and landslide management, foundation engineering, and ground improvement techniques.
The conference featured 33 speakers from various agencies and organisations, alongside 45 exhibition booths showcasing the latest services, technologies, and solutions in the geotechnical industry.
In his opening address, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi highlighted the role of technology and innovation in strengthening infrastructure resilience.
He pointed to the use of drones, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and digital twin models as examples of modern tools that can enhance safety and enable real-time monitoring of projects.
The conference was the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Works Malaysia, JKR Malaysia, JKR Sarawak, and JKR Sabah.
It provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and the exchange of innovative solutions to address current geotechnical challenges.
As part of the programme, participants will also undertake a technical visit to the Sarawak River Bridge construction site in Sejingkat on 19 June.
The visit aims to demonstrate practical applications of geotechnical solutions, construction methods, and technical management strategies.
The successful organisation of MRGEC2026 reflects JKR Sarawak’s capability to host large-scale technical conferences and reinforces its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable engineering development.
The event is expected to pave the way for future collaborations and advancements in Malaysia’s geotechnical engineering sector.
