By Jaythaleela K
BINTULU, Jan 18: The massive transformation that Bintulu experienced over the past 40 years is not over yet. The state government has more plans to reshape this industrial division in the next few years.
For starters, there will be the RM250 million iconic bridge over Kemena River. The federal government was supposed to build it, but since they claimed to be broke, the state government will do it instead, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I am not proud to say that we, Sarawakians, are able to build the project, but since you (the federal government) cannot do it, let Sarawak do it,” he said at the launching of The Spring (Bintulu) Shopping Mall here today.
He added that tender for the bridge project would be called very soon.
“Bintulu is going to expand to the far bank of the Kemena River when the new RM250 million iconic bridge (Kemena Bridge) is completed in the next few years,” he told those present.
Abang Johari revealed that his administration also planned to move the Bintulu administrative centre to Jepak, and some areas there would be set aside for the development of housing estates.
“The development of Jepak will create another Petra Jaya and will be directly accessible to the coastal highway and the airport. It will enhance the potentials of Jepak as a new business district of Bintulu,” he announced.
Abang Johari also revealed that by the middle this year, work on building a methanol plant would start.
“We can expect the oil and gas downstream activities to gain greater momentum in the next few years as we try to strengthen Bintulu’s position as Sarawak’s gas hub,” he said.
With these exciting developments, coupled with the dynamic Samalaju area, Abang Johari is confident that Bintulu town would grow faster than any town in the state.
“Bintulu will not be static. The town has been transformed tremendously over the past 40 years from an ordinary fishing village to become an industrial hub for gas and oil” he opined.
Once all the proposed development plans for it are implemented, Bintulu would be the engine of growth for the state.
The Spring (Bintulu) is a RM300 million initiative with about 388,000 sq. ft. of retail space. It can host 132 retails outlets, featuring international fashion and beauty brands to dining and entertainment outlets.
The double-storey mall is a joint venture between Sarawak Land (Kemena Park) Sdn Bhd (SLKP), a member of Samling Group, and Benlong Sdn Bhd, a member of PE and PANSAR Group of companies.
Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Parkcity The Spring (Bintulu) Sdn Bhd chairman Troy Yaw, Minister for Welfare , Community Well-Being , Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talip Zulpilip. — DayakDaily
