By DayakDaily Team
ASAJAYA, Aug 31: Samarahan, Asajaya, and Sadong Jaya are expected to undergo significant changes over the next five years as various large-scale infrastructure development projects are implemented in the areas.
In a TVS news report, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the rapid development has enabled the three areas to be regarded as part of the Kuching metropolitan ring.
He said the development would strengthen the areas’ connectivity with Kuching, while creating more opportunities for residents through improved transportation networks and infrastructure.
“The areas of Samarahan, Asajaya, and Sadong Jaya can now be regarded as part of the Kuching metropolitan ring. Their development planning is progressing very rapidly.
“Within the next five years, we will see significant changes because this is where the international airport will be built, while construction of the dual carriageway will also begin,” he said in his speech before witnessing the ‘Ambang Merdeka Dekat di Hati’ concert held in conjunction with Pesta Asajaya 2026 here on Sunday (Aug 30).
Abdul Karim explained that apart from the international airport and dual-carriageway network currently being planned or developed, the area is also set to benefit from an elevated highway network and the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system connecting it to Kuching.
He said the developments would strengthen connectivity between the outskirts and the city centre, stimulate economic growth, and improve access to various amenities.
At the same time, he said that the development represented a significant change from Asajaya in the past, when land connectivity was limited, and access to the area depended heavily on river routes.
“Infrastructure development over the past several decades has brought major changes to the area, not only physically but also by improving opportunities and the quality of life of the local community,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the transformation is also evident in the educational achievements of children from Asajaya and Sadong Jaya, with significantly more now pursuing higher education than in the 1980s and 1990s.
He said continuing this development was important to ensure the progress enjoyed by the community today continues to grow in tandem with the areas’ transformation into part of Kuching’s growth corridor.
Meanwhile, he called on the younger generation to remember the struggles of past leaders in building the harmony and peace Sarawakians enjoy today.
He said the peace society enjoys today did not come about on its own but resulted from the continuous efforts of past leaders to unite people of different races.
“We must remember the struggles we went through to build harmony and unite the people.
“Younger people may not know, but the older generation in this area may better understand how difficult life was in the past, including facing security problems in the early 1970s,” he said.
Abdul Karim explained that in the early 1970s, the area faced challenges in strengthening ties among the Malay, Dayak, and Chinese communities.
However, he said the situation was very different today, with people of various races living peacefully and harmoniously while respecting one another. — DayakDaily
