By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 6: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has envisioned Kapit as Sarawak’s first eco-friendly “pedestrian city”.
He recounted a recent discussion with Norwegian urban planning expert Dr Hans-Jacob Roald, who visited Kapit and shared his observations on the town’s unique potential.
“Dr Hans said Kapit is beautiful, but if possible, make it a pedestrian city.
“That means fewer cars and more walking spaces, because the world today wants places that are eco-friendly and green,” Abang Johari said when speaking at a luncheon gathering with the Kapit community, which was broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) on YouTube today.
He added that with its natural landscape and location deep within Sarawak’s interior, Kapit has the potential to be developed into a model eco-city that draws global attention.
“If we plan early, Kapit could become one of the top cities in the world, for all you know,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels with the success of the Borneo Cultures Museum, Abang Johari noted that Sarawak’s museum has been recognised as one of the best in the world — even surpassing Paris’s famous Louvre.
“When I was the Tourism Minister, former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud tasked me to plan a new museum. I visited some of the world’s top museums, and today people say ours is interactive and number one in the world,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that the same forward-thinking approach must be applied to Kapit’s growth to ensure the town develops in a sustainable, well-planned and people-centred manner.
Also present were Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi and former Kapit MP Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Jugah. — DayakDaily
