SIBU: The entire Bukit Assek redevelopment project masterplan will be completed by July next year with the first stage of the plan expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Deputy State Secretary, Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said the private sector, the Sunway Group conglomerate has shown interest in jointly exploring the potential of redeveloping the Bukit Assek area with the state government.
‘It is in line with the inspiration and wish of the Sarawak govenment to require the private sector to work together to develop Sarawak into a developed state by 2030.
“Under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), we want the private sector to work together to develop the state, where Sarawak’s economy is advanced by the private sector.
“The government’s role is to be a facilitator or facilitate these development efforts, where we feel investment from the private sector is more sustainable,” he told a press conference after holding a briefing on the Bukit Assek redevelopment project at the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) on Tuesday (June 6).
Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, SMC chairman Clarence Ting, Sibu Resident Wong Hee Sieng and the General Manager of the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) )Datu Monaliza Zaidel.
Muhammad said the redevelopment of Bukit Assek is a long-term project and requires cooperation from all parties, including the people, especially the residents of Sibu.
He said Bukit Assek with an area of 497 acres is a dilapidated area that is not conducive for housing due to stagnant water and social problems.
“Therefore it is the government’s wish to redevelop Bukit Assek to become a more modern and vibrant part of Sibu and hopefully set an example for other parts of Sarawak.
“We need to be patient and together with the government to see with our own eyes the efforts of the Sarawak government to develop the socio-economics of the people of Sibu in the surrounding areas and Sarawak in general,” he said.
Senior managing director of the Sunway Group Chairman’s Office Datuk Tan Kia Loke expressed his gratitude to the state government for inviting them to participate in the development project.
“This is a very challenging project. Having visited the site, I must say the problem is that technical and engineering solutions are one of the keys to redeveloping the area to a conducive and habitable condition in the future.
“This is not a project that will take five to 10 years. It is a long-term project not only to provide suitable housing and commercial areas but also watershed management.
“I think this is the key to the success of the whole project,” he added.
