By Karen Bong
MIRI, Aug 26: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will strive to implement the Integrated Community Centre and drainage system for flood mitigation projects despite the high cost.
In giving this pledge, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government will source for the fund to ensure the rapid development in Taman Tunku and Taman Pelita which will expand further until Tukau, Rait and the Bekenu areas.
“The integrated community centre to be built on this eight-acre land in which (Lambir assemblyman) Ripin (Lamat) had envisioned on how to develop is good as it will benefit the Taman Tunku and Taman Pelita community.
“The request from Ripin, we will implement it despite the high cost,” he said during a working visit to officiate the earth-breaking of the proposed Integrated Community Centre project at Taman Jelita, off Taman Tunku here today.
The community centre is estimated to cost RM6 million and will feature space for recreation and for people to do exercise including a jogging track, bicycle track, a futsal court, a gym as well as a police station.
Noting that healthy lifestyles were becoming the normal way of life nowadays, he added that the centre would also be connected with high-speed internet to allow people to do their workout by following YouTube videos, which he observed in Kuching near a forest reserve.
“All facilities will be provided for the Integrated Community Centre so that people can have their recreational and leisure time,” he said.
As for the drainage system for flood mitigation, he noted that the RM10 million allocation previously approved was insufficient.
As such, Abang Johari has urged the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) to study and come up with a masterplan which could divert the water straight into the river so as to prevent floodings in the areas.
“There must be a masterplan but the cost is also quite substantial. If possible, we want to build the drainage from here until Tukau.
“The cost is quite high but it is alright, we will find a way to get the fund to implement the project across three to four years to cover also Tukau areas so that the people there won’t face any flooding problems. GPS will be able to help materialise this,” he pointed out.
In addition, he said that the state government has also identified in its planning to develop affordable housing in Tukau.
Commending the harmoniously living in this area among the diverse community, Abang Johari emphasised that this was the kind of community Sarawak wanted to build and nurture where people have respect and understanding for one another.
“The pillar (that holds us together) is our trust for one another and as such our policies are inclusive irrespective of races or religions because we want to build and preserve our caring community,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also visited the Miri Flood Mitigation Project site near Taman Tunku Housing and Sungai Rait, Tukau as well as the under-construction new Taman Pelita mosque.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi were present.—DayakDaily
