KUCHING: Houses in phase two of Darul Hana Development Project at Jalan Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin are meant for resettling people from 13 villages, from Kampung Boyan up to Kampung Bintawa Batu along the Sarawak River.
The first phase of the project started in 2011 with the building of the Darul Hana Mosque. Upon its completion, basic infrastructures surrounding the mosque were put in place followed by earth filling in preparation for phase two which entails the building of 564 houses for resettling villagers displaced by the project expansion.
“The resettlement plan entails several phases. Phase one will involve three villages, namely, Kampung Panglima Seman Lama, Kampung Semarang and Kampung Pulo,” said Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is Rural Electricity Assistant Minister, at a press conference at Darul Hana Mosque.
Dr Abdul Rahman pointed out that the project is now in progress and is being done with cooperation and assistance from several government agencies including Sarawak Housing Development Corporation, the principal developer of the project.
The development process is said to be on schedule and will see completion and occupation by the second quarter of 2020.
Dr Abdul Rahman explained that there are 2,640 principal households to cater for in the Darul Hana Project and acknowledged that there are a further 4,000 extended family units within these households to cater for and emphasized further that the Darul Hana Project encompassing 721 hectares of land will not be enough to accommodate the extended families.
“Several other projects such as the one at Sungai Badaul are being planned to resettle the extended families comprising mostly children of the principal land owners and the second generation settlers in the villages.”
To a question, Dr Abdul Rahman revealed plans for the redevelopment of the village lands which will be vacant following the resettlement at Darul Hana.
He explained that the villagers have requested the government to make the area accessible to the original settlers in the form of business sites. The area has grown its reputation as a must-go place for tourists and is well known for its small business entrepreneurs.
“These young entrepreneurs have requested that the area be populated with more business lots much like those on the banks at Kampung Sungai Bedil,” said Dr Abdul Rahman.
“A decision has been made to accommodate these young businesses with a vacant area to be developed into a waterfront with appropriate landscaping including a business zone.”
A heritage museum called “Muzium Warisan Darul Hana” will be built after the completion of the housing project. The museum will host artifacts and historical information pertaining to the locality from its inception to the present day.
“Other aspects being looked into are the prospects of building recreational areas for the enjoyment of locals and tourists,” said Dr Abdul Rahman.
