By Lian Cheng and Ling Hui
KUCHING, June 10: As of the second quarter of 2022, the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) has introduced 608 projects to help spur on development in the division.
From these, 201 projects have been completed, 86 are under implementation and 200 being planned while 121 other projects will start in the third quarter of this year and first quarter of next year.
IRSDA chairman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who revealed this, said among the projects implemented by IRSDA included the building of State and divisional roads, as well as the construction of bridges such as Jalan Lubok Teranggas-Kampung Gedong Road, upgrading of existing roads in Asajaya Laut and Asajaya Ulu, road project to Sebuyau town, upgrading of Kampung Semera No 1 Bridge at Sadong Jaya and upgrading of Kampung Pantong Melayu of Simunjan.
Apart from these projects, there are multiple flood mitigation, drainage, coastal bund and drainage system and river improvement projects within the Samarahan Division areas including Asajaya, Muara Tuang, Gedong and Samarahan.
“We at IRSDA have also planned to implement various agricultural development projects and tourism infrastructure development projects to increase productivity for these two economic sectors as well as enhance the socio-economic development of the people in Samarahan Division,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman.
He said IRSDA has been and will implement more agricultural projects that can increase the overall agricultural production of Samarahan Division such as the the pilot crab farming of University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), planting of new coconut and rehabilitating of old coconut farm projects, cash crop planting projects which include the planting of sweet corn, chilies, watermelons and others.
As for the tourism infrastructure project, Abdul Karim who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said these include the Samarahan Boulevard Project, the Taman Tasik Desa Ilmu Project and the Kampung Tambirat Hawker Center which will be a unique tourist attraction destination in the division.
Apart from that, he said IRSDA had also implemented the Samarahan Tourism Development Plan (STDP) with UiTM Sarawak which involves all target groups and stakeholders and have identified Quick Wins Projects which are high impact projects that can be implemented quickly.
“Examples are the Sadong Jaya upgrading project, Waterfront Bazaar Beautification project, Rumah Warisan Batang Sadong upgrading Project, Jetty and Kampung Sebuyau River Cruise Tourism Facility upgrading project, Batang Sadong Bridge Integrated Stall Project, and Asajaya Pasar Tamu upgrading and extension project and other projects involving the improvement of town squares, roads, carparks and other facilities,” said Abdul Karim at the launch of IRSDA held at the Raia Hotel and Convention Centre today.
“Residents of Samarahan Division are guaranteed to continue to benefit from development through new projects to be implemented by IRSDA such as street light projects, jetty projects, waste management projects at Samarahan Waste Management Park with the use of incinerators, agricultural projects and tourism infrastructure projects,” he assured.
The formation of IRSDA was announced on Nov 12, 2018 to spur on development in Samarahan Division. With an allocation of RM1.5 billion, it became operational in 2019 but was only officially launched today by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — DayakDaily
