On 15 October 2019, Langat Sewerage Project received the most awaited special-made Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named ‘Merong Mahawangsa’ at its project site in Cheras.

With the deepest sewer shaft ever to be constructed in Malaysia at 25 metres, the TBM is dubbed as a Ferrari compared to other TBM of the same size designed to break through extreme rock formation with the special cooling system. The hydraulic and heat management systems are five times more efficient than normal machine of the same dimension.

The soft launch was officiated by Ahmad Rozian Othman, Deputy Director General of Sewerage Services Department, accompanied by Abdul Fatah Endut, Project Director of Langat Sewerage Project.

MMC Pembetungan Langat Sdn Bhd via its tunnelling specialist, ICOP Construction (M) Sdn Bhd has collaborated with the manufacturer, Herrenknecth AG, to specifically design the TBM for the anticipated geotechnical condition and hard abrasive rock formation along the pipe jacking length of 2,599 metres.

The name ‘Merong Mahawangsa’ was chosen to symbolise the spirit of a warrior who fought against all odds to win a battle, hence signifying strength and will of the project team to complete the project on time despite the ground challenges.

About 90 percent of Langat Sewerage Project involved gravity sewer which was constructed using trenchless technology via TBM where the pipe will be jacked underground to minimise obstacles such as intersections, narrow winding roads, heavy traffic condition, existing underground structures and utilities especially in the developed urban centres.