By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 3: The Bintangor Malay Charitable Foundation (LAKMB) has partnered with Sarawak Baitulmal Fund (TBS) and Naim Group of Companies (Naim) to develop a commercial hub that will transform Bintangor into a vibrant town, improve the economy and uplift local community.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LAKMB, TSB and Naim with aims to pursue the major project, which is estimated to cost RM20 million today.
LAKMB was represented by its deputy chairman Mohammed Tahir Chie, TBS by general manager Datuk Abg Mohd Shibli and Naim by chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
In his speech, Abang Johari emphasised that the project will have a lot of impact on Bintangor, which he said needs to transform to keep pace with the new digital world.
“The proposed innovation hub (development within the commercial hub) could not be more apt to harness the benefits of the digital economy. So congratulations to the people of Bintangor.
“I am confident people in Bintangor will progress and thrive in the digital economy. We will also upgrade the speed of the connectivity as Sarawak moves towards implementing 5G infrastructure to create an enabling environment for the people,” he said at the MoU signing ceremony and unveiling of the commercial hub project at Darul Taqwa Mosque in Bintangor today.
With the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Team focused and working hard towards achieving the objectives and goals under Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) from now until 2030, Abang Johari foresees a new era for Bintangor four to five years down the road.
Meanwhile, the proposed commercial hub, which components consist of upgrading Darul Taqwa Mosque, an innovation hub, two and three-storey shophouses, six-storey offices, multipurpose hall, petanque facilities, waterfront pavilion and a food court will be developed in phases on a land approved by the authorities.
According to LAKMB chairman Datuk Hasmi Hassan, the major project will take three to four years to complete.
“The proposed development is aimed at strengthening the financial resources of the Foundation to execute more plans that would help in uplifting the local community.
“Once developed, we will open up the sales of the shophouses or spaces to anyone keen to purchase and special prices will be given to any religious organisations be it Christian or others,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Public Communication Unit who is also Semop incumbent,Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy State Secretary (Socio-Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Islamic Council Yang di-Pertuan Datu Misnu Taha, Meradong incumbent Datuk Ding Kuong Hing and Tanjung Manis MP Yusuf Abd Wahab were among those present. — DayakDaily
