By Nur Ashikin Louis
LAWAS, May 28: Private sector players will come to Lawas on their own as the Sarawak government continues to build essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply, and Internet connectivity.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the private sector would not even consider coming if basic facilities are not up to the standard for them to set up their businesses.
“If there is no electricity supply, who will come? How can we install air-conditioners? If there is no electricity, there are no fans. If we want to go sightseeing in Lawas, we need good standard roads. If we want to build hotels, we must also provide toilets but if there is no water supply, how can we stay in the hotels?
“These is the basic infrastructure that we must implement and it is the responsibility of the government. If all the basic infrastructure is in place, it is up to the private sector to come in and invest their businesses here,” he said during the ground-breaking ceremony for LePapa Hypermarket and Roxy Hotel here today.
He further expressed appreciation to property developer Tecktonic & Sons Holdings which will undertake the project involving the construction of 26 units of three-storey shophouses with Eastman roofing, a hypermarket with a food court and games centre, a four-storey hotel, and two blocks of six-storey apartments.
Abang Johari also noted that in Lawas, the Sarawak government through Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) and other government agencies is working hard on various projects including connecting electricity supply to the State Grid, and constructing the Bandar Lawas Bridge worth RM160 million, Northern Coastal Highway Road, and Lawas Airport.
Amongst those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development I (Modernisation of Agriculture) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Lawas MP Dato Henry Sum Agong; Sarawak Timber Industry and Development Corporation (STIDC) general manager Datu Hashim Bojet and Tecktonic & Sons Holdings managing director Lee Chin Teck. — DayakDaily
