INCUMBENT
Fadillah Yusof (BN-PBB)
Last 05 May, 2013 Election Result:
1. Fadillah Yusof (BN-PBB): 29,559 votes
2. Ahmad Nazib Johari (PR-PKR): 8,116 votes
Majority: 21,443 votes
The parliamentary seat of Petra Jaya comprises the state seats of Tupong (N.6) Samariang (N.7) and Satok (N.8) which are respectively represented by Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (BNPBB), Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman (BN-PBB) and Datuk Amar Abg Johari Tun Abg Openg (BNPBB), who is also the Chief Minister of Sarawak.
This sub-urban constituency is now one of the most developed residential areas in Kuching Division. Some forty years ago, the only residential areas in Petra Jaya were villages along and near the riverbanks of the Sarawak River. The area was then only accessible from Kuching town by walking through the Satok Suspension Bridge or taking a sampan ride across the river. After the opening of the Tun Abdul Rahman Yacob Bridge in 1974, development has been shifted from the old town to the other side of the Sarawak River.
Petra Jaya is now the administrative centre for the Sarawak Government with many government offices having relocated their headquarters to the area. Samariang is also bustling with its latest commercial centres such as Giant Hypermarket and Mydin as well as numerous modern housing estates. Latest additions to Petra Jaya are the establishment of Petra Jaya Hospital, which is currently still in progress and the underpass project at Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali roundabout, which is expected to be completed by end of this year.
The Satok Suspension Bridge, the famous pedestrian bridge built during colonial time, met its demise in 2004 due to ‘old age’. There are plans to rebuild the bridge according to its original shape in order to boost tourism in the area.
The rebuilding of the bridge will add colours to the sprawling Kubah Ria Hawkers Complex, said to be the largest hawkers’ centre in Malaysia. Its location on the bank of the Sarawak River provides many people, especially the Bumiputera, an opportunity to go into business and creates trading activities that benefit those who are enterprising and customers from all walks of life.
The development of a billion Ringgit project on a 186-acre site in Jalan Matang, called Metrocity Matang, will boost economic activities and contribute towards elevating the socio-economic standards of the people. Petra Jaya also has become an exemplary 1Malaysia populated constituency, as various government and government-related projects have lifted the living standard of the residents and attracted many non-Bumiputera to make their homes there. With its progress momentum intact and the government’s clear intention to further develop the area, Petra Jaya’s brighter days are yet to come.
