BATU KAWA HAS POTENTIAL TO BE DEVELOPED LIKE BANDAR SUNWAY - ABANG JOHARI

KUCHING, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Batu Kawa area, which is less than 10 kilometres from the city, has the potential to be developed as vigorously as Bandar Sunway in the Klang Valley, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 

According to him, the state government is actively solving the problem of traffic, water and electrical congestion in the area to ensure comprehensive development in Batu Kawa by 2030. 

"If we look at this area (Batu Kawa), like what was being developed in Bandar Sunway in the Klang Valley... The area was once a stone quarry and developed into a town located a short distance from Kuala Lumpur. 

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"We will make a road from Batu Kawa directly to Jalan Matang and we are also building a new bridge (at Batu Kawa) to cross the Sarawak River...we have infrastructure that we have developed for the benefit of the people," he said in his speech at the opening of the Ang Cheng Ho Multipurpose Hall here today. 

The completion of the hall was carried out under the first phase of the Ang Cheng Ho Batu Kawa Quarry Rejuvenation Project initiative involving an area of 8.1-hectare.

Abang Johari said the land clearing for road construction projects in the area would also provide opportunities for affordable housing development, especially for the B40 group in the state.

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Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian in his speech said an additional allocation of RM7 million is needed for the second phase of the quarry rejuvenation project.

The media had earlier reported that Dr Sim, who is also the Batu Kawan State Assemblyman, had said a 24.2 hectare recreational park was planned to be built in the state constituency under phase two of the project. 

--BERNAMA