GATEWAY TOWERS: Taib (centre) and other dignitaries taking a close look at the model of the proposed LCDA and SEDC headquarters yesterday. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapha
KUCHING: The Isthmus will be a new central business district of Kuching city.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said plans were underway to develop the area to attract more businesses.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Gateway Towers that will be the headquarters of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday, he said the project is just the beginning for the transformation of The Isthmus into a central business district for the new century.
“This is the future and modern Kuching city that I have been talking about on numerous occasions. It is going to be a reflection of our success that we all should be proud of. It is a dream come true for us and I hope to live much longer to witness all what we have achieved,” he said in jest.
On a more serious note, Taib earlier commended both SEDC and LCDA for taking the first step by commencing the development of the significant additions to Kuching’s new 774-acre central business district (CBD).
He anticipated that the development of Isthmus will open up plenty of business opportunities for the local people as it is expected to be a centre of attraction for local visitors as well as foreigners.
He added that The Isthmus will be a place many people would look forward to not only for shopping or recreational activities but also for work and even to live.
“This is because the development of the Isthmus, apart from the Gateway Towers, also includes residential, commercial shop, recreational centre and also offices,” he said.
He is fully confident that many people will set up their offices in the area especially when the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) had become more developed.
Meanwhile, the SEDC and LCDA headquarters buildings, named the ‘Gateway Towers’ because they are located at the main entry to The Isthmus, will be built at a cost of RM76 million each and are anticipated to be completed in 24 months’ time.
The project is undertaken by CMS Land Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Cahaya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) in joint venture with SEDC and LCDA.
Spanning across land sizes of 2.74 acres and 2.37 acres respectively, the Gateway Towers will comprise 11 storeys each with a floor area of 11,000 square metres.
The buildings were designed by award-winning architectural firm Arkitek KDI Sdn Bhd.
Apart from Taib, SEDC chairman and Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip and LCDA general manager Datu Sulaiman Husaini also spoke at the occasion.
The event also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CMS Land, LCDA and SEDC.