BN CARES: Naroden (second left) presents a BR1M 2.0 voucher to one of the recipients as others look on.
GEDONG: The master plan for Simunjan New Township will be re-looked to ensure that it can accommodate the increasing number of locals and visitors alike.
According to Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, the government had approved the master plan, but suggested that it be re-looked to ensure nothing was overlooked.
“During his recent visit to Simunjan, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he wanted the master plan re-studied to ensure that the town could accommodate the rising population,” Naroden told reporters yesterday.
He had earlier presented 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) 2.0 to 350 recipients in the Gedong area. Naroden said the master plan, which involved five phases, was aimed among others to attract investors to the area.
“The first phase will probably involve an expenditure of RM100 million to build 40 units of commercial shops and 100 residential houses on a 50ha site,” he said.
Naroden, who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) added that the development of Simunjan New Township would include the construction of housing estates, modern commercial centre, bank, supermarket, petrol station and light industries.
“What is important is that Simunjan will become a central township when fully completed because of its vicinity to Sadong Jaya and Gedong,” the Simunjan assemblyman said.
He also said the 400ha padi farm in the area would be able to produce six to eight tonnes of padi a year. He said the farm, managed by Padi Beras Nasional Berhad (Bernas), also benefited 90 landowners who were paid RM1,000 each a year.