By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 19: Landowners in Tanjung Embang, the proposed site for Sarawak’s new international airport, have been urged not to get too excited or rush into selling their land impulsively.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah offered this advice, highlighting that land prices in the area have surged to hundreds of thousands of ringgit, compared to past transactions of just RM15,000 to RM20,000.
“I see Tanjung Embang as an urban link, but the area still lacks key infrastructure such as bridges and roads for better accessibility,” he said in a prerecorded interview following a courtesy call on Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Astana Sarawak today.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, noted that the excitement to sell and buy land is common whenever major infrastructure projects, such as bridges and roads, are planned, both in urban and rural areas.
“Many people will look to acquire land in such areas because they know its value will rise once infrastructure is developed. Those who can foresee this will seize the opportunity, especially those with land grants,” he said.
He cautioned villagers in rural areas against hastily selling their land, as this scenario did occurred like when being offered RM10,000 or RM20,000 per acre or double their current valuation.
With the right infrastructure, he noted the possibility that land values could increase by 20 to 30 times.
“I am aware that this is happening in Tanjung Embang, and this happened before in Samarahan, as well as areas surrounding projects like the Batang Lupar Bridge, Samarahan Bridge, Batang Sadong Bridge, and Batu Kawa Bridge.
“So, we hope landowners would not be too excited about selling off their land,” he added.
On Jan 19, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that Sarawak’s new international airport would be constructed in Tanjung Embang, located in the Samarahan and Asajaya divisions.
The airport was initially planned for Matang, Kuching, but complications arose due to international airspace regulations affecting flight approaches.
A committee, chaired by the Sarawak Financial Secretary, has been formed to refine the details of the proposed airport, which will be designed to resemble Doha’s cutting-edge aviation hub and will accommodate up to 15 million passengers annually.
The development is expected to be completed within three to five years. — DayakDaily
