VIBRANT CONCEPT: (From left) Dr Rahman, Dr Rauf, Harden, Abang Johari, Karim and Hazland look at a model of the new Muara Tebas RMR and commercial township. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapha
KUCHING: The Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) and new township projects at Muara Tebas is set to transform this fishing village into a bustling commercial and residential area soon.
The RMR project will see a total of 192 units of houses being built by Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on a 16-acre land.
According to Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the first phase, which is expected to be completed by August 31 this year, will be the construction of infrastructure.
“Among the infrastructure works are site clearing and earthworks, civil infrastructure and external works, water reticulation system and external electrical installations,” said Abang Johari after visiting the project site yesterday.
After that, the next phase, he said, is building the RMR houses, which are especially for residents from Kampung Muara Tebas and the surrounding areas.
“The Suruhanjaya Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) had already received around 500 applications for these houses and they are still evaluating those who deserve to purchase the units,” said Abang Johari.
Among the features there, he added, would be a man-made lake which would act as a retention pond and a leisure spot, complete with pedestrian walkways and a cycling lane.
Describing the area as the choice for the new generations of people from Muara Tebas and those from around Bako, he said the government was keen to see participation of the private sector in the next phase of development.
“There will be a total of 12 phases which will take around eight to nine years to be completed and it will totally transform this area into a vibrant residential and commercial area strategically located at the river mouth of Sungai Sarawak,” he added.
The first phase started in October 1, 2009 with site clearing and formation while infrastructure works started on November 24, 2010. Through the RMR project, the people of Muara Tebas will have an orderly kampung resettlement complete with proper connecting roads, electricity and drainage, while future plans include a football field, commercial lots, food court and a mosque.
Also present yesterday were Housing Assistant Ministers Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Zen, Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Hipni and Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.