KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Malaysia is looking to expand the adoption of trenchless technology to develop sustainable, low-impact infrastructure, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said the method has proven effective for faster and safer construction of underground utilities such as sewerage, water pipelines and telecommunications networks — particularly in dense urban areas.
“Applications such as pipe-jacking have made it possible to lay sewer lines in urban, congested areas with minimal surface disruption, playing a key role in the expansion and modernisation of Malaysia’s sewerage systems,” he said in officiating Trenchless Asia 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
Fadillah, also energy transition and water transformation minister, said his ministry, through its Sewerage Services Department, has implemented several remarkable sewerage projects in the Klang Valley.
The projects have successfully connected millions of households to centralised sewage treatment systems, thus improving effluent discharge standards and protecting precious rivers for future generations, he added.
He said by minimising excavation and surface disturbance, trenchless methods help preserve the environment, reduce community disruption and avoid damage to existing infrastructure.
He noted that trenchless approaches are not just alternatives, but should be viewed as core technologies for sustainable development, aligning with the government’s long-term agenda under AIR 2040, a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming Malaysia’s water services sector.
“Trenchless technology fits perfectly into AIR 2040, especially in rehabilitating ageing pipelines and integrating smart water solutions, without the delays often associated with conventional methods,” he said.
Fadillah also welcomed collaboration between the International Society for Trenchless Technology and local practitioners to promote awareness of trenchless technology applications at the academic level.
He said by integrating trenchless technologies into university curricula and vocational programmes, Malaysia can equip its graduates with the knowledge and skills required to embrace these modern technologies.
He also urged delegates to translate the ideas and discussions from Trenchless Asia 2025 into meaningful commercial opportunities that contribute to Malaysia’s sustainable future.
Trenchless Asia 2025 is an international exhibition and conference on trenchless technology in Asia. The two-day event kicked off today.
— Bernama
