By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 19: A waterfront stretching 680m from Kampung Sungai Bedil to Kampung Lintang is expected to be completed by end of next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the second phase of the project will include another proposed waterfront from Kampung Tanjung to Kampung Tupong Tengah with a length of 647m.
“This means Kampung Seberang Ulu will have a waterfront that can prevent erosion at nearby villages and it will also elevate the existing condition in nearby villages,” he told reporters during his working visit to the site in Kampung Lintang today.
Abang Johari who is Satok incumbent said the project also involves the construction of Pengkalan Kampung Lintang with an estimated cost of RM3.5 million.
“The Pengkalan (jetty) will have a floating jetty and watercraft facility for jet-skiing and this will become an attraction for those visiting Kuching city.
“The project is also located across Brooke Dockyard which is now under reconstruction. These projects altogether (once completed) will give a beautiful environment to our villages,” he added.
Asked if the waterfront project would serve as a new identity in Sarawak tourism, Abang Johari explained that it will improve ‘penambang’ (boat ride) services or river experience along the river up to the recently restored Satok Suspension Bridge.
“You must have something attractive so that people would come here for a honeymoon, visiting or a plate of Jawa mee. That is why we upgrade the pengkalan,” he said adding that a traditional English teahouse will also be developed near Fort Margherita.
Among those present were Assistant Minister for Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring-cum-Samariang incumbent Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Deputy State Secretary (Socio-Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Irrigation and Drainage director Datu Chok Moi Soon; State Economic Planning Unit director Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) permanent secretary Datu Antonio Kahti Galis; Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan; Kuching resident Sherrina Hussaini; Kuching district officer Awang Yusup Awang Mostapha and Tupong incumbent Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily
