KUCHING CITY
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will rejuvenate certain areas in the southern and northern parts of this city over the next five years.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said these areas under the Kuching City South Council (MBKS) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) would be re-developed under the state’s renewable programme.
“We already have a long term master plan to develop the areas which will involve not only the city councils but also the private sector,” he said at the launch of the 32nd anniversary celebration of Kuching City Day at MBKS Square on Saturday.
He said there were many areas that could be developed and most importantly without damaging the traditional (historical) sites particularly in Padungan.
“We want to rejuvenate Padungan area in which we will collaborate with the private sector, so that we can have a modern city at the same time maintaining the traditional areas that we have,” he said.
He added there were many old traditional buildings that needed to be given a face lift in order to attract more tourists to Kuching city.
“Some areas in MBKS and DBKU are run down and thus need rejuvenation. This is to give more modern facilities to these areas,” he said.
He said the rejuvenation plan would also include transforming the areas into modern commercial centres so that an autonomous rail transit (ART) could pass through the areas.
“That is why it is important to have a government that has a vision, farsightedness and that knows how to transform the city into a modern city,” he said.
Abang Johari mentioned that this was part and parcel of the state’s development in Kuching, and it would give the basis for the state’s economy to move forward, especially in the service and tourism sectors.
“Furthermore, people will visit when your city is clean and attractive. Moreover, our important asset is our people themselves are friendly,” he said.
He added because of the uniqueness of Sarawak, the National Unity Ministry had asserted that Sarawak must be an example in terms of its unity and cooperation among the multi-racial society.
