By DayakDaily Team
KAPIT, June 27: The Sarawak government is planning a major resettlement exercise for villages in Kapit affected by riverbank erosion and recurring floods, in a move aimed at providing safer and more sustainable living conditions for residents.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative forms part of the State’s broader plan to expand and reorganise Kapit through the development of new, properly planned settlement areas.
He said one of the identified sites for the relocation project is located near the old Kapit airport area, which is also close to existing villages, making it suitable for structured redevelopment.
“I was taken to two locations where we have plans to expand Kapit, where we will develop two areas. One is to relocate Malay villages and houses affected by riverbank erosion and frequent flooding.
“We have identified an area at the old airport site, not far from the villages, to carry out the redevelopment,” he was quoted as saying by TVS after a site visit and briefing by Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) at the former Kapit Airport site today.
Abang Johari said the relocation initiative is not new to Sarawak, as similar resettlement projects have been successfully implemented in other parts of the state.
“We have developed other areas, including Kampung Datu in Sibu and Darul Hana in Kuching. So we already have the methodology to develop villages into safer areas with future growth potential,” he added.
He added that the proposal will be further reviewed by the State Planning Authority before implementation.
“With my visit here, I now understand what needs to be done, and we will approve the proposals coming from Kapit,” he said. — DayakDaily
