Massive sub-urban development in next five years, says ­­Abg Johari

April 5, 2010, Monday

KUCHING: The government has drawn up a massive planning for the substantial development of sub-urban areas throughout the state within the next five years to tackle congestion arising from urban migration.

PROMOTING UNITY: Abang Johari presents a souvenir to the appointed ‘Penghulu’ Sani Resi (right) as Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman (left) looks on.

The sub-urban development is still in the planning stages and the state has submitted a RM2 billion request to the federal government for the fund to be incorporated under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
The potential sub-urban areas to be developed include areas in Betong, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and here itself in line with the state planning to manage the migration issues.
Speaking to reporters after ‘Kursus Bela Nusa’ closing ceremony at Kem Permai in Santubong, Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said for a start Kuching City’s sub-urban would be the main attention.
“There is a lot of urban migration taking place especially between Kuching, Sri Aman Division and Samarahan Dicision. The 600,000 population here is increasing significantly by the day as the city has been providing for the people throughout the state to earn their living,” Abang Johari added.
Abang Johari who is also Satok assemblyman continued: “In fact, the government has to change (extend) its housing policies here to cater for the migration needs. At the moment, we are developing Matang and areas leading up to Telaga Air.
Referring to the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib’s recent comment on the possibility of developing areas between Telaga Air and Lundu into a new division, Abang Johari said that the possibility to bring in lots of development was there, probably in the next 20 years.
He stated that roads linking up Damai and Telaga Air were available and probably the surrounding areas would be considered for development. This included creating new suburb settlements that would go all the way to Kuching.
When asked to comment on the growth rate in the last 20 years, Abang Johari said it was “quite significant”.
“That’s why areas such as Petra Jaya and Semariang have to be opened up and developed extensively. This is to cater to the migration demand of the people who are coming into the city. At the same time, it is also to meet the city’s growth in terms of extended families here.
“That is why more focus has been given to the city especially in opening up new housing areas. At least till 2015,” he explained.
In addition, he added that the city also had to tackle squatter problem which he estimated to stand around 1,400 houses at the moment.
Abang Johari also mentioned that the priority now was to create as many suburban areas as possible, otherwise the city would become very congested like Kuala Lumpur.
He also said that an excellent public transportation service would make it easier for the government to develop new townships and sub-urban areas further from the city as people here would not worry about mobility issues.
About 50 village heads and community leaders from the Semariang area attended the three days and two nights ‘Kursus Bela Nusa’ programme.
The course, organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Semariang branch, was aimed at getting together all the community leaders together in a move to promote unity all the way to the grassroots level.