Abang Johari (centre) at the press conference. Also seen are Harden (right), Abdul Karim (second right), Jonathan (left) and Misnu (second left).
SRI AMAN: The peaceful town of Sri Aman will no longer be categorised as ‘remote and isolated’ but will instead be a ‘developing town’ after several mega projects slated there are implemented.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the mega projects would further spur development in Sri Aman which was now known as ‘Malaysia’s Benak Town’.
According to Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, the projects included the construction of Sadong Bridge to connect Sri Aman to Samarahan.
“The construction of the bridge will open up opportunities for investors and also be an avenue for the local community to participate in the development of this district,” he told a press conference on the sideline of Sejiwa Senada programme here yesterday.
Abang Johari said the construction of the bridge would be jointly borne by the state government and the federal government.
“The bridge will be a new landmark not only to Sarawak but it is set to become the second longest bridge in Malaysia after the Penang Bridge,” he added.
On agriculture development, Abang Johari pointed out that various agriculture infrastructure would be developed alongside the Integrated Agriculture Development Project (IADP) from Banting to Lingga.
“This agriculture development will bring many benefits to rural farmers and communities in the coastal areas and more importantly, provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture development projects,” he added.
A Sri Aman Town Square, he further said, or better known as Sri Aman New Town is expected to be located next to Hotel Seri Simanggang.
“The town square will accommodate the wet and dry market as well as the bus and taxi terminals while several shoplots will also be built here,” he said.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will launch the Sejiwa Senada programme and perform an earth-breaking ceremony for a new market tomorrow.
Also present at the press conference were Assistant Rural Development and Housing Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy State Secretary Datu Misnu Taha and Sri Aman Resident Jonathan Lugoh.