Awang Tengah (fourth left) witnesses the presentation of the mock key from Sia (right) to Hashim. Also seen are Yusuf (second left) and Len Talif.
TANJONG MANIS: The construction of 40 shophouse units here under Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) Cooperatives has reached completion.
The RM20-million project was undertaken by Juraliswa Sdn Bhd.
According STIDC general manager Hashim Bojet, from the total 40, the corporation owns eight shophouse units worth RM5.84 million.
“The construction of these units commenced immediately after the earth-breaking ceremony in November 2015.
“The works reached completion in December 2018,” he said prior to the handover of properties ceremony yesterday, which was witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.
With Awang Tengah were Tanjung Manis MP Yusuf Abd Wahab, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small-Medium Enterprise Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, and Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh.
Hashim, who is also STIDC Cooperatives chairman, said following the acquisition of these eight units, STIDC’s assets have increased from RM9.65 million to RM15.77 million.
He expected that the assets’ value would further increase to RM20 million by 2020.
On the cooperatives’ profit for fiscal 2018, Hashim expected it to be over RM500,000 from an income of RM4.6 million.
“The ownership shares have increased, from RM1.37 million in 2017, to RM1.42 million in 2018,” he added.
Meanwhile Awang Tengah – also the Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, and Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources – said the Sarawak government has a plan to ensure that Tanjong Manis would continue to be developed.
He said the government would strive to provide facilities for the local community and also to attract investors to Tanjong Manis, which he regarded as having great potential in various sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, livestock and aquaculture.
“Various economic activities are either in progress or would be implemented.
“For example, an investor from China has invested in an aquaculture field worth RM809 million; Linaco Sdn Bhd has invested in the coconut industry.
“The government has spent at least RM2 billion to implement various infrastructure projects in Tanjuog Manis,” he said, adding that all of it reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment not only in attracting more investors, but also opening up opportunities for the locals to be involved in business.
Awang Tengah also pointed out the ongoing construction of 200 houses for government staff – the works on which should reach completion by this April.
“The government will ensure that the people of Sarawak are able to enjoy the rich resources in the state.
“The Sarawak government will continue to defend the rights of all Sarawakians.
“We understand the aspirations of the people and it is our aim that this state would continue to prosper, and that all Sarawakians will enjoy such prosperity,” he said.
Juraliswa Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Sia Sung Leong was also present at the event.