Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
KUCHING: The massive RM1.3 billion worth of projects for Lundu district is part of the blueprint to develop the area into eco-tourism and education hubs, disclosed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said the blueprint will be launched soon by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who has approved the master plan.
“The BN government actually made the promises for these projects not because of the just concluded by-election but actually as a long term plan to develop Lundu into an eco-tourism hub and also as an educational hub,” Wan Junaidi told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Giving a breakdown of the RM1.3-billion projects, he said besides a new hospital for Lundu and a matriculation centre for Sematan, the projects include the proposed Jalan Kpg Sebat/Kpg Semunsam, Kpg Teluk Serabang and Telok Melano which will cost RM530 million, and which was not initially included in the Pan-Borneo Highway project.
“The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, approved the allocation as requested by the late Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) to connect Teluk Melano with the rest of Sarawak,” he explained.
Other projects on the list, he added, include the RM250-million Centre of Excellence Technical Skill (Centexs) in Lundu; RM129 million for water supply for both Lundu and Tasik Biru; RM165 million for the new Rela training centre and office in Lundu; RM150 million for Rambungan Bridge; RM48 million for Jalan Belungei/Pugu, Lundu; RM30 million for Lundu phase one development; RM20 million for Lundu industrial estate; RM15 million for the padi development programme at Tanjung Purun, Lundu; RM9.5 million for irrigation projects at Tanjung Purun, Lundu; RM5 million for youth camp in Pueh; RM4.42 million for the Type 6 health clinic at Kpg Stungkor; RM7 million for the Sematan waterfront; RM2.9 million for SMK Lundu multipurpose hall; RM3.4 million for SK Siar, Lundu; RM2.5 million for Rumah Mesra Rakyat in Sematan; RM1.975 million for water supply to Batang Kayan area; RM1.3 million to upgrade SK Bumiputera, Lundu; RM3 million for temporary pipes to Pueh and RM2 million for agriculture facilities and irrigation projects for Kpg Pueh.
“The details of these projects show that we are serious in developing Lundu to attract more people to come to Lundu,” he said.
With the victory of Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu in the just concluded Tanjong Datu by-election, the Santubong MP indicated that he was ready to defend Santubong in the coming general election.
Jamilah garnered 6,573 votes to defeat both State Reform Party (STAR) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) candidates Johnny Aput and Rapelson Richard Hamid respectively with a majority of 6,443 votes. Both opposition candidates lost their deposits.