By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 9: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Cooperative (Kobagus) is planning a house development project in Bako, which involves approximately 10 acres of land.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Kobagus chairman Mohamad Mortadza Mantrang said this followed a courtesy call to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today.
He said the courtesy call was to discuss several matters related to the implementation of the project, including development challenges posed by the hilly terrain.
According to him, the area’s topography requires more extensive planning and higher development costs, including the construction of retaining walls, to ensure the housing project can be carried out in an orderly and sustainable manner.
“That is why we met with the Premier to seek his assistance in addressing these issues so that the project can proceed. Whatever the solution may be, we rely on his wisdom and leadership in helping us overcome these challenges,” he told reporters after the courtesy call.
It is understood that the 10.4-acre site has been proposed for the development of 105 housing units, comprising single-storey and double-storey terraced houses. The development plan will be submitted to the State Planning Authority (SPA) for approval.
In a TVS report, he said that 200 individuals have expressed interest in owning a home despite the first phase offering only 105 housing units, explaining that the strong demand was one of the main reasons the cooperative is seeking additional land to expand the development in the future.
He said that the project is not only open to serving teachers, but retired teachers who remain members of the cooperative are also eligible to apply, as well their children who may also apply using their parents’ membership.
UEB Sdn Bhd director Chin Yuan Tai said the developer hopes the approval process can be completed soon to allow marketing of the project to begin as early as next year for the first phase of development.
At the same time, Kobagus is also planning to develop a smart city project worth approximately RM400 million in Bako, subject to approval from the Sarawak government for an additional 48.5 acres of land.
Mohamad Mortadza aid the development has the potential to become the first smart city in Sarawak spearheaded by a teachers’ cooperative, marking a new chapter in cooperative-based property development in the State.
To this, Chin said the proposed smart city will feature an integrated development comprising 36 commercial lots, more than 300 housing units, a private recreational park, an open-air food court, covered pickleball courts, a wet market kiosk, and a waterfront area.
Chin added that all houses developed under the project will utilise the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to ensure better construction quality as well as faster and more efficient implementation. — DayakDaily
