KUCHING: The state government will continue its policy of decentralising development here to ease congestion as well as to pave the way for well-planned growth in the state capital.
NEW PROJECT: Tengah (fourth from left) takes a closer look at a model of The Ryegates as Entri (right), Daud (second right), Naroden (third right), Tan (left) and others look on.
Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said yesterday city dwellers here were facing one of the serious urbanisation problems, traffic congestion, and thus shifting development away from the city centre was imperative.
“To avoid traffic congestion in Kuching city, we have to expand roads and some roads are either impossible or very costly to expand.
“Therefore, the government will continue decentralisation in terms of development as this will allow well-planned development to spread out in Kuching,” he said when opening a gated apartment – The Arcardia – situated at Jalan Stampin Timur here.
Tengah pointed out that the government’s role was to provide infrastructure and planning while it appreciated complementary efforts from the private sector to provide value-added properties.
He said there would be more apartment development taking place not only here, but also other major towns throughout the state.
“That is why we see vast growth in Batu Kawah, Matang, BDC and Tabuan Jaya over the years and now development is expanding to other areas.
“Apartment offers an alternative lifestyle compared to landed properties. Apartment living is suitable for smaller families because larger property is becoming a financial burden,” he added.
The minister believed that apartment development would be able to keep land development cost low because of higher density and lower selling price.
Speaking at a news conference later, Tengah said he was pleased that some local developers had come up with creative design and quality apartments to meet the dynamic market.
“I can see the trend of more small families opting for apartment living.
“Unlike the time of our fathers and grandfathers, modern parents with one or two children tend to go for apartments, which make up the gated community.
“In view of the hectic life, apartment living is the choice of most people especially young couples,” he said, adding that developers should make their end products affordable to gain popularity.
During the function, Tengah launched another 72-unit apartment -The Ryegates – located opposite the Kuching International Airport.
The Arcadia has 64 units of three and four storey apartment.
All have been sold except for a few units of penthouse.
The Ryegates comes with three building blocks offering buyers a choice of design that befits their lifestyle and financial capabilities.
Featuring three and four storeys, the apartment offers a modern contemporary design with quality assurance.
Set in a garden setting, residents will have the luxury of a swimming pool and a gymnasium.
Gee Construction Development Sdn Bhd with Lee Onn Construction Co as contractor develops both apartments.
Construction of The Ryegates has commenced and it is expected to be handed over to the buyers by March next year.
To mark the opening of The Arcadia, Lee Onn Construction Co gave away donations amounting to RM200,000 to nine charitable organisations.
The recipients were Rurum Kelabit Sarawak and Haemodialysis Unit Hospital Lawas each receiving RM30,000 and Peryatim (RM25,000), Lembaga Amanah Khairat Islam Lawas, Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Limbang, Kuching Autistic Association, Sabati and Perkim Lawas (RM20,000 each), and Stutong Market Community Project (RM15,000).
Assistant Minister for Planning and Resource Management Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, Assistant Minister for Land Development Sylvester Entri and Gee Construction Development Sdn Bhd director Tan Kun Gee were among those present.