By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 23: The proposed rejuvenation project for Sungai Maong, Kota Sentosa and Kota Padawan markets is still awaiting approval from Sarawak Implementation Monitoring Unit (SIMU).
The three markets are located at Mile 3, Mile 7 and Mile 10, respectively.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council has submitted the proposal to SIMU.
“Therefore, we are waiting for the Sarawak government to consider to give us the allocation so that we can implement it.
“So far we have not received any positive feedback yet but the council has already submitted the proposal to SIMU,” he told reporters at a Chinese New Year (CNY) open house at his residence here today.
Back in December 2020, Lo during MPP’s 24th anniversary celebration, said MPP had proposed a number of urban renewal initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) including the rejuvenation of the three markets.
The project would involve new buildings and extensions as well as redefining existing spaces in the three markets.
At that time, the proposed project for one market was estimated to cost about RM10 million.
Fast forward to today, Lo who is the Batu Kitang assemblyman said the cost for each market may range from RM10 million to RM20 million.
“The council has been following up (with the proposed project) but it requires a bit of planning because the project site is very congested and there are many other things that we want to develop (in Padawan) as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg paid a visit to Lo in conjunction with the CNY celebration.
Also present during the open house were Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) chief executive officer Syeed Mohd Hussein and MPP deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim. — DayakDaily
