Datuk Gramong Juna
KANOWIT: The Bumiputera Guesthouse here – known locally as ‘Rumah Temuai’ – will be relocated to a site near the Kanowit Bridge, which is still under construction.
According to Assistant Minister of Land Development Datuk Gramong Juna, the site has been approved by Kanowit District Council.
“We’re now in the process of designing the building. The size and capacity of the new guesthouse will be about the same as the existing one,” he told reporters after officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony of a new bus terminal and market here recently.
However, no timeline for completion of both projects was disclosed.
Gramong, who is also Assistant Minister of Tourism (Local Events and Products), said the new Rumah Temuai would cost about RM1 million to build.
“The new site near the Kanowit River has been chosen, following the people’s request.”
For the present ‘Rumah Temuai’ near the town area, Gramong – who is Machan assemblyman – said it would be dismantled to make way for the construction of a parking area.
He noted that the town still lacked the space for parking vehicles.
“We want to make sure that every space available here would be converted into parking lots.
The wooden, two-storey Rumah Temuai is over half-century old. For years, it has been serving as a cheap accommodation for the rural folk, especially those from the upper reaches of Ngemah and Poi rivers, which have no road connectivity, coming to this town.
The majority of visitors say by staying at the guesthouse, it would be easier for them to look after sick family members who are seeking treatment at Kanowit Hospital.
The facilities such as ceiling fans, rubber mats, power points, kitchens and bathrooms will provide basic comfort to guests.
The nightly rate for ground floor rooms is RM2 per family while for those upstairs, it is RM5 per room.
There are five rooms on the second floor, as well as communal bathrooms and a kitchen.