By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 19: The Sarawak Government’s initiative to conduct an online survey on the Pending Industrial Estate, as part of its long-term plan to create a more sustainable, conducive and high-quality land-use zoning system in Kuching city, is expected to increase property values in the area.
Disclosing this, Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said industries deemed suitable to remain in the area would be retained, while those requiring relocation would be moved to more appropriate locations.
A collaboration between Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, the online survey aims to obtain feedback and update the profiles of companies as well as their operations.
“The findings from this study will enable strategic planning to create a more sustainable, conducive, and high-quality land-use zoning system.
“Furthermore, property values in this area are expected to increase with the implementation of the land-use rezoning initiative. Any industries that are suitable to remain will be retained, while industries that need to be relocated will be moved to more appropriate areas,”said Awang Tengah when delivering his ministerial winding up speech at Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
Awang Tengah (GPS-PBB) acknowledged that the area currently accommodates a variety of industrial activities, including heavy, medium, and light industries, wood-based industries (sawmills), shipping activities, and industries that contribute to environmental pollution.
He added that the rezoning effort represents the Government’s long-term planning initiative especially now that Kuching City is developing rapidly and requires comprehensive future land-use planning.
“This planning exercise is not intended to drastically remove industrial operators, but rather to be implemented through a win-win approach that takes into account the needs of all parties.
“Transformations of this nature are common practices in developed countries around the world, such as Tokyo Bay in Japan, Oslo in Norway, and Vancouver in Canada, as well as many other cities that can serve as examples,” said Awang Tengah.
To him, rejecting land-use restructuring and urban planning transformation means choosing to continue living in an area that is poorly managed, outdated, and inconsistent with the aspirations of the modern and smart city that the Sarawak Government has envisioned.
The Government recognises the role of industry players in this area, who have contributed significantly to economic growth, employment opportunities, and development in Kuching City in particular and Sarawak in general, he said.
“In fact, we understand that for some of them, this is their bread and butter,” said Awang Tengah who is also Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment.
He further revealed that since 2020, a total of 14 applications for industrial land in other industrial parks, such as the Demak Laut Industrial Park, have been received from companies operating in the Pending area.
Of this number, he said, 12 applications have been approved by the State Planning Authority, while two applications are still under consideration.
“My ministry will continue to communicate, monitor, and, of course, engage with industry players in this area from time to time,” said Awang Tengah.
He said this in response to Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong (PH-DAP) on May 13 who had urged the Sarawak government to abandon any proposed redevelopment involving the Pending Industrial Estate, arguing that relocating long-established industrial operators would disrupt businesses, jobs and supply chains built over decades.
Yong when debating Motion of Thanks on TYT’s Address said nearly 500 industrial operators could be affected by the initiative as Pending Industrial Estate is a long-established industrial hub built by local businesses and SMEs over decades.
These businesses employ Sarawakians, support local supply chains and generate tax revenue, she pointed out, and criticized what she described as a lack of transparency surrounding the initiative as many business owners had only learned of the possible relocation through rumors and remained uncertain about the government’s intentions. —DayakDaily
