KUCHING, Jan 19: The state government will build a retaining wall at the waterfront along Simanggang town, formerly known as Sri Aman, to prevent erosion at nearby villages.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that the project will be included in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from 2021.
He disclosed the information during a visit to Simanggang town to perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the Sri Aman Waterfront upgrading work and to observe the progress of some of the development projects there today.
“We will be building retaining walls on both the upstream and downstream sides of the riverbank near the Malay villages to protect them from erosion.
“This is similar to what we have done at Kampung Lintang and Kampung Bintangor in Kuching.
“This will prevent erosion and we will be able to prevent the houses in the villages from being hit by waves.
“In Simanggang, sometimes there are tidal bores that can cause erosion to the riverbank.
“The estimated cost of the project is around RM30 million which include the upgrading work of the Sri Aman waterfront and we will put the project under the 12MP,” he told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony at the Sri Aman waterfront here today.
Meanwhile, the upgrading work for the Sri Aman waterfront encompasses the wharf extension which includes a new esplanade, open air riverfront, parking, sculptures and an observation tower.
Also on the list is an extension to the Buddhist temple and public toilet that includes upgrading work with a new board walk, as well as soft and hard landscaping.
Besides that, there will also be a new culture centre for food stalls, retail operations, the esplanade, sculptures, a second observation tower, mini pavilion and pergola.
The upgrading work for Sri Aman waterfront was given an allocation of RM12 million.
During his visit to Simanggang town, Abang Johari also went on walkabout to the wet market to greet the locals there.
He was also there to check on the progress of Phase One for the upgrading work of the retail space for Pasar Tamu Sri Aman which started last year.
The said upgrading work which received an allocation of RM5 million entails the construction of 72 units of open air space for retail, 24 units for food outlets, a public toilet and parking spaces.
The project is expected to be completed in July 2020 while Phase Two entails the construction of 50 units of retail space for the development of cottage industries.
Among those accompanying Abang Johari during his trip to Simanggang were Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, and Deputy State Secretary Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily
