KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hoped that through private sector-government initiatives, more developers will build new townships in the state.
He stressed that they (developers) must include certain aspects in their development like green areas for recreational activities and for communities to work together and secondly they must have facilities for schools so that there won’t be any congested area.
He said this when he officiated at the handing over of key to the new SJK (C) Stampin building, Kuching by San Chin BBC-JV Sdn Bhd to the Ministry of Education, yesterday.
Johari disclosed that when a proposal to develop the area behind the school was negotiated with the government it was decided that the land be swapped to build the new school.
“Today the area is a self-contained township with shops, houses, condominium and recreational facilities including a new school building. And this is a very good example of private sector-government initiative.
“Our children have good educational facilities. You have good environment and the children can concentrate on their studies because of the good environment.
“This area is fast growing in terms of urban development and the state government has a master plan to develop Kuching City with its suburbs like Tabuan, Matang and Batu Kawa right up to 10th mile.
“Now we are developing towards Samarahan and straight to Serian,” he said,adding that that is why Serian is a division now where we will also develop basic facilities.
“With traffic jams between Kota Samarahan and Kuching as early as 5am, that reflected that we have already developed the areas.
“I want to build LRT (Light Rail Transit) but there are people who do not want it. They said it is a waste of money. So I postponed the project as it has become too political. But today people in Samarahan want the LRT to be built. They said do the LRT. It is better to have it earlier than never,” he said.
Johari added that he wanted to postpone the project first and to focus on the rural areas.
“But if it is very pressing, then we have to relook and reconsider the project because our city is very developed.
“As long as the LRT project is not politicised we can try to revive it,” he pointed out.
He also congratulated San Chin BBC-JV Sdn Bhd for the successful completion of the new school project. During the event yesterday, the chief minister approved a RM185,000 grant to the school’s PTA to buy equipment and furniture needed by the school.
San Chin BBC-JV Sdn Bhd managing director Lee Chin Teck who also spoke disclosed that SJK (C) Stampin Kuching was founded in 1959.
In early 1960s, the area where Gala City is now located was a poultry farm and the piece of land where the school was located was donated by a poultry farmer.
“In 2012, the company bought the 13-acre land from the poultry farmer for RM84 million. The old school also caused traffic jams in the area. We paid the full construction cost of the school of RM17 million. It has a 4-storey building with 30 classes.
“Gala City has 216 units of apartments, 342 shophouses, a street mall, a kiosk and the beautiful corporate tower by the roadside.
“To date, 90% of the property has been sold. The reason is because of the school. In one or two years’ time, the school will have about 1,500 students,” Lee said.
