S’pore-style approaches maybe: Abg Jo

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Minister mulls adopting island republic’s policies for state’s urban centres

KUCHING: Sarawak is going to emulate some of the approaches of Singapore’s Urban Renewal Authority in planning and policy making for urban centres such as Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

NETWORKING: Johari (fourth left), Wahab (third left) and officers from the ministry and HDC with reporters after the dinner.

NETWORKING: Johari (fourth left), Wahab (third left) and officers from the ministry and HDC with reporters after the dinner.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said urban centres in the state have to be properly planned to make them not only liveable but also environmentally friendly.

“Singapore has its Urban Renewal Authority which is responsible for changing how the city looks today. We are not going to follow them 100 per cent. We just want to translate some of their actions and plans for our cities especially Kuching to make it attractive, liveable and environmentally friendly,” he said.

Johari made these remarks at a media appreciation dinner held by Housing Development Corporation (HDC) at a hotel here last Saturday.

He said the state’s urban renewal policy will also focus on upgrading the state’s old buildings and houses with heritage and historical value in order to beautify the city and provide a more aesthetic environment.

According to him again, urban renewal policies will be one of three areas to be given emphasis by the ministry from this year till 2015. The other things are developing better public transportation system and more recreational areas.

The ministry, previously known as Housing Ministry, received its additional portfolio of Urban Development effective Dec 1 last year during a cabinet reshuffle.

“This will be a challenging year for us. We need to find new approaches to improve our cities.

“There should be fewer squatter areas, and we will also aim to provide higher standard of living for everyone,” he said.

On the new public transportation system, he said he had something in mind but he refused to reveal them yet.

He said he has a new way to deal with public transport in Sarawak, but he needs the support from Sarawakians as well as federal government to realise it.

“I will liaise with EPU (Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department) on how we can improve our public transport system. We will use new methods which include ICT and electronics.

“The details I will announce soon. It is still premature to reveal them. I have certain ideas how to improve our public transport system… This is not something conventional but something new,” he said.

On the recreational parks, he said more of these will be developed in the suburban areas.

In his speech, he also repeated his pledge to realise a water taxi system for Sungai Sarawak, stressing that it would be the newest tourist attraction for Kuching.

“I can imagine that Kuching will be like Venice. Instead of gondolas, we have sampans in Sungai Sarawak which go from one end at Satok to the BCCK (Borneo Convention Centre Kuching),” he said.

Also present during the dinner were Assistant Minister of Housing and Urban Development and HDC chairman Abdul Wahab Aziz, the ministry’s permanent secretary Affandi Keli and Daya Perumahan Sdn Bhd chairman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

There were karaoke competition, games and lucky draws for those present that night.