KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state’s largest food court is being built here and upon completion, it should be able to accommodate up to 3,000 diners at any one time.
According to Samarahan Walikota Dato Peter Minos, the Samarahan District Council (SDC) is working closely with Aiman Properties Management Sdn Bhd on the construction of this eatery, which will be a main component of the near-completed Aiman Street Mall.
“RM5 million has been spent on it. It will be a special food court – not an ordinary one. It measures 80 feet wide and 800 feet long, is able to cater up to 3,000 people at one time and there will be special weekend musical and cultural performances.
“They (Aiman Properties) are trying hard to get (the food court) ready before year-end, but I think it can be ready by beginning of next year. It will be the biggest and the best food court in Sarawak,” he told reporters after having officiated at the council’s ‘Rakan Taman’ programme yesterday.
Minos also mentioned that the food and drinks at this new food court would be affordably priced, adding that it would cater for the demand of over 10,000 students and teaching personnel from the two universities here – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Univesiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
He also believed that this new attraction would attract many visitors from outside Samarahan, particularly those from Kuching and Serian divisions.
Aiman Street Mall is set to be a new iconic area in the fast-growing Samarahan Division. The RM30 million project consists of the main 120,000sq foot mall alongside 124 shophouse units. Additionally, Aiman Properties has signed H&L (Supermarket) and Grand Supermart as anchor tenants.
On another matter, Minos who is also SDC chairman said the council would follow up with Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), on the proposal to set up a farmers market here.
The suggestion came about after the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the closing of last year’s national-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK 2015) here, where he said there would be four more farmers market and 10 agrobazaars this year.
“It will be more than just a farmers’ market – it will also be a recreational centre. Hopefully, we could get something realised by end of this year,” Minos said.
On Rakan Taman, the walikota said it would be a ‘green programme’ involving members of the surrounding communities.
“All the villagers will work together to maintain the greenery here. Samarahan is still a ‘green area’, but it takes continuous effort to make sure it stays green and clean.
“Let us lead the way for other local councils, showing all that Kota Samarahan is not just a place for studying but where we promote greenery and respect for nature,” he said.