EXCHANGING VIEWS: Abang Johari (right) talking to Old Star Association president Salmah Ibrahim at the dinner.
KUCHING: An investment trust company will be launched on Sept 1 to spur the proposed real estate development involving Malay villages in Satok, said Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking at the Old Star Association’s Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri dinner on Saturday, he revealed the development will be centred around the Sarawak Islamic Complex and the Kuching Divisional Mosque, and also involve the extension of Kuching Waterfront up to Kampung Bintangor.
“As you can see, we have already developed the Islamic Complex, and from there on we will come up with what we call Islamic Boulevard which will cover areas of Kampung Masjid and Brooke Dockyard.
“A ‘tembok’ (wall) is being constructed at Kampung Masjid, whereby the Waterfront will be extended until Kampung Bintangor (in Satok),” he said.
With such development taking place which would require real estate management, he said the investment trust company is needed to manage the properties and also protect the interests of the local community there.
“On Sept 1, we will launch this investment trust company for us to manage the real estate which we are going to develop so that these will not be ‘terlepas’ (lost) from our people. Funds of RM1 million have been received as the start-up capital,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is also Satok assemblyman, envisioned the development will trigger economic growth in the villages involved and attract the interest of the younger generation to learn relevant skills so that they can play their part for the community.
He is hopeful that a similar development proposed across Sungai Sarawak for Darul Hana villages starting from Kampung Boyan to Kampung Bintawa can be smoothly implemented because both projects are beneficial for the local communities living there.
“The young people are encouraged to apply their skills be it architecture, accounting, real estate management and engineering in this development, and to ensure the special interests of the people living there are protected,” he said.
On another matter, he said development in the southern region of Sarawak will be strategically implemented to turn Kuching into a better city by 2030.
One of the focuses will be beautifying Sungai Sarawak in order to better promote it as a tourist attraction, he added.
“If Melaka can do it, why can’t we? Sungai Melaka is small, Sungai Sarawak is bigger.
“I recall a recent conversation with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’azzam Shah when I led a delegation to formally invite him to the 50th Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching. He showed interest about Sungai Sarawak, and asked me about the boat race (regatta),” he said.
During the dinner, Abang Johari pledged a grant of RM10,000 to the Old Star Association, which is formed by former students of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Known fondly as Sekolah Star, the school is located near the Kubah Ria Complex at Jalan Matang.