..Key Government Machinery for Infrastructural Development

Building bridges - an important function of the department

Public Works Department or better known as JKR (Jabatan Kerja Raya) is one of the biggest government agencies in the State. It is also one of the key government departments in the State as it plays a crucial role in the infrastructure development of the State.

There are eight (8) branches and four sections in the Department headed by a Director and assisted by two deputy directors in charge of development and management respectively. The 8 branches include Buildings, Roads and Airfields, Water Supplies, Geo-Technical and Structural Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Mechanical, Defence and Home Affairs and Electrical while the four sections comprise Administration & HRM, Accounts, Information Technology and Stores.

Each of these branches and sections have their own scope of responsibilities and tasks. For example, the Building branch provides professional consultation to the government in addition to planning, designing, implementing, supervising and co-ordinating development projects. This section also undertakes the task of maintaining government buildings.

The Roads and Airfield Branch plans, designs, constructs and maintains roads, bridges and airfields. The Water Supplies Branch manages and operates all water supply Authorities in accordance with the requirements of the Water Ordinance 1994. It also formulates and co-ordinates programmes in the planning, design and construction of water supply schemes for all uses throughout Sarawak.

JKR - a key government arm for infrastructure development

The planning and initiating of site survey for building, bridge, wharf, jetty, ferry ramp and riverwall are the main responsibilities of the Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Branch while taking charge of the documentation of tender for projects implemented by JKR is the core business of the Quantity Survey Branch. They also represent JKR in various tender committees at both state and federal levels and acts as advisor on cost and contractual matters to other JKR branches, Statutory Bodies and Government Departments.

The task of formulating and implementing JKR mechanical policies falls under the purview of Mechanical Branch. This branch is also responsible for the maintenance and repairs of equipment for JKR and other government departments.

One of the main jobs of the Defence and Home Affairs Branch is to implement development projects for the Ministry of Defence and the Police. These includes engineering planning, design, preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation and contract administration and supervision. The Electrical Branch implements government projects involving electrical and building services installations.

Quality Achievements

JKR Sarawak was awarded the MS ISO 9001 (1994) certificate early 2000 for two core business processes. One was for the Project Management of State and Federal roads including bridges of up to 60 metres, which cost over RM5 million and implemented through an open tender system at the HQ and Samarahan Divisions.

A conducive working environment

The second was for the production and distribution of treated water at JKR Water Treatment Plant, Julau.

Another five (5) additional core business processes are currently in the final stage of documentation for certification under the MS ISO 9001. They are for the implementation of building projects from designs to completion. (2) design, implementation and commissioning of electrical installations (3) Implementation of civil engineering projects such as bridges, wharves, jetties and C.S work for buildings, from design to completion (4) Planning, design and project management of pipe-laying works for water supplies and (5) treatment, storage and distribution of treated water at thirteen (13) water treatment plants throughout the State.

Organisation-wide procedures for Year 2002

The JKR MS ISO 9001 quality system is currently supported by 28 organisation-wide procedures : Administrative (9), Quantity survey procedures (13), Accounting procedures (2), Store procedures (1) and material laboratory procedures (2).

Library section - a resource centre for the staff

An additional 20 organisation wide procedures will be added this year. They are : Human Resource Management procedures (8), Human Resource Development Procedures (5), Store Management procedures (1) and Mechanical and Workshop procedures (6).

The Department is hopeful that all its core business processes will be documented and certified under the MS ISO 9000 and that each Divisional JKR office will have at least one core business process certified under MS ISO 9000.

Being one of the key government departments in the State, the Public Works Department is set up in all the divisions and districts as they play a major role in the physical development of the areas. It is also one of the biggest public sector employer in the State. The Department employs 5,376 employees throughout the State. Out of this number, 3,072 are permanent staff while the rest are daily paid workers.