KUCHING: The Indonesian government has emulated the Kuching Waterfront as a model for the construction of its Sungai Kapuas Waterfront.
Mayor of Pontianak, H. Edi Rusdi Kamtono said he drew inspiration from the Kuching Waterfront, where historical colonial-era buildings were preserved and restored instead of being demolished, in order to maintain their historical significance and identity.
“The ongoing development of the waterfront in Pontianak will incorporate modern elements while preserving the old buildings with historical value along the riverbanks.
“At the same time, these buildings will be restored and protected to attract tourists in the future,” he said.
He said this is in a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from the media members of the Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association (FSJA) in Pontianak recently.
H. Edi added the completion of the waterfront project is targeted for 2025, spanning a length of six kilometres.
On another note, he said he was looking forward to cooperation from the Sarawak government in helping Pontianak’s efforts to become a smart city.
In this regard, he hoped the Sarawak government would support their efforts by becoming a ‘sister city’ to Pontianak.
From a tourism point of view, H. Edi said the Indonesian government in West Kalimantan will continue to collaborate with the Sarawak government in promoting their respective tourism products.
“The cultural exchange programmes between Sarawak and Indonesia such as the Gawai Dayak celebration continue to be intensified, including sports tourism programmes such as Tour De Borneo, regatta races, large motorcycle tours this July and so on as an effort to strengthen relations between the two regions.
In the meantime, Consulate of Malaysian in Pontianak Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim said Malaysia and Indonesia, especially in Pontianak, had a very good relationship and helped each other in promoting the tourism sector of both countries.
“Pontianak leaders are very helpful to the Malaysian Consulate in Indonesia in promoting tourism products in Sarawak. Likewise, the Sarawak side also helps promote tourism products in West Kalimantan.
“Last year, with the cooperation of the governments of Pontianak and West Kalimantan, we organised the 60th celebration of Malaysia-Indonesia Diplomatic Ties.
“Through this, we brought all the tourism agencies in Malaysia and also medical agents and carried out promotions,” he said.
He added that in order to ensure that this bilateral relationship continues, the consulate also cooperates at the primary school level.
