By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 9: A new wet market with 400 stalls proposed at Pine Square, a new commercial and housing development opposite MJC township in Batu Kawah here, will become the second largest wet market in Kuching after Stutong Market, which has 580 stalls.
The market is among the initiatives which Batu Kawah incumbent Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian is determined to realise to revitalise and unlock the potential of rapidly growing Batu Kawah, apart from an inconic Batu Kawah administration centre complex, a modern agriculture Collection Centre, Automated Rail Transit (ART) line and drone surveillance.
Dr Sim emphasised that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) manifesto and his Batu Kawah manifesto are serious plans to transform and further advance Sarawak for a more livable future that is inclusive, accessible, prosperous and resilient.
“We mean what we want to do, unlike some people who said a manifesto is not a bible. We are not playing politics.
“I am very fortunate to have the trust and cooperation of the people to develop and help Batu Kawah in many ways over the last five years.
“Like setting up the Sarawak Heart Centre which took 10 years, similarly I will persevere with the same spirit and tenacity to serve Batu Kawah. Hopefully on Dec 18, the people will give me another chance to further transform Batu Kawah,” he told a press conference when launching the manifesto today.
For Batu Kawah, the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president said he wants to make it into a wholesome place to live, work and play where the diverse Kuching community can live together happily, peacefully and harmoniously.
The ‘Majulah Batu Kawah’ manifesto consists of four major visions with 29 aims for the next five years.
Under the vision to ‘Safeguard Our Homes, Education & Values’, Dr Sim highlighted that more affordable houses will be built for the B40 group under the Spektra Permata project in Kampung Segedup and Kampung sungai Maong and for the M40 group under Sri Pertiwi project within the vicinity of Pine Square.
This, he said, will be complemented by the government’s Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) to be implemented starting next year.
“There are also ongoing installation of CCTVs (53 units in 18 sites) around Batu Kawah, but I am also working with a few companies to implement Drone Watch for better security monitoring,” he added.
To elevate the quality of life, Dr Sim who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, pointed out that the ART line will also be extended to Batu Kawah given the high density area which contains 25,000 houses currently and is still increasing.
“Of course, there will be ongoing drainage and road upgrades and a new recreational park,” he added.
He also shared that a modern agriculture Collection Centre will be set up to help local farmers market their produce and goods to wider markets, while positioning Batu Kawah as the “Food Basket” of Kuching.
This will also promote Batu Kawah as a destination for agro-tourism and eco-tourism where many rivers, lakes, parks and agriculture farms are located.
Moreover, the transformation for the Ang Cheng Ho quarry overlooking a 20-acre natural lake with a new sports and community hall as well as an innovation hub is in the works, which will become another landmark in Batu Kawah.
“This is my definite commitment for Batu Kawah. We hope the people will continue to trust us (GPS) for the best of Batu Kawah and Sarawak in the next five years, rather than just ‘tengok saja” (look only).
“Let the past five years’ results speak for itself. I appeal to the voters to vote for Dr Sim on Dec 18. I am No 2 in the ballot paper. Give me the support so that I can fulfill these initiatives and together, we can ‘majulah’ Batu Kawah,” he said. — DayakDaily
