Adenan (seated) performs the ground-breaking ceremony. Also seen are Julaihi (centre) and
Jamilah.
Taking the lead will be the Sebuyau Expansion Scheme, where a new township will be built
KUCHING: Sebuyau will enjoy a surge in development with the implementation of the Sebuyau Expansion Scheme, said Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, yesterday.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Sebuyau New Mosque, about 120km from here, the chief minister noted that over the years neighbouring districts such as Simunjan had been given more attention than Sebuyau in terms of development.
He assured that the government would give Sebuyau more focus from now onwards as the government wanted to see more organised villages, residential areas and public facilities, all equipped with basic amenities.
Under the Sebuyau Expansion Scheme, there would arise a Sebuyau New Township spanning 288 acres.
It would have roads, housing estates, commercial centres, public parks, government buildings and a mosque.
“It will be the catalyst for development in Sebuyau. There must be a centre fi rst, and slowly we expand.”
Adenan said the new mosque would be a complex of sorts for the Muslim community to hold daily prayers and for other religious or community-based activities.
He commended Sebuyau assemblyman Datuk Julaihi Narawi, who is also Assistant Minister for Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion), for his vision and aspiration to implement the expansion scheme.
“Good work, Julaihi. This is not an election campaign, as election is another two years or so. However, I am glad you people keep Julaihi close to your heart, election or no election.”
Adenan also thanked voters in Sebuyau for supporting Barisan Nasional in the last state and general elections.
In a couple of years, he said, travelling time between Kuching and Sebuyau would be signifi cantly shortened upon the completion of the being-built Batang Sadong Bridge.
“At the moment, it requires two to three hours to get here from Kuching. Not only will Batang Sadong Bridge minimise the travelling time, but it is also set to be the longest bridge.”
He pledged RM100,000 for the new mosque, in which the project cost was not announced.
Earlier, Julaihi, who also heads the New Sebuyau Mosque building committee, said locals had been waiting for the implementation of the mosque since 2011.
The old mosque was destroyed in a landslide.
For the time being, he said the Muslim community had to use two suraus, until the proposed mosque is built.
“That is why we have been trying to make this new mosque happen. Hopefully, with this ground-breaking ceremony, we can commence the construction soon to build a new mosque for the convenience and comfort of Muslims in Sebuyau.”
Julaihi admitted that the committee had put in great efforts to get the proposed mosque approved even though the project was a component of the expansion scheme.
“There was a delay as we faced technical issues while waiting for the State Planning Authority (SPA)’s approval.”
More than 300 locals and government offi cers from here attended the ceremony.
Adenan’s wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu was also present.