SERIAN: The earth-breaking ceremony of the new Serian township, administrative complex and a conference centre during Pesta Birumuh this April 1 will pave the way for this division towards getting a new look over the next two to three years.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg would have the honour to perform the earth-breaking ceremony.
“The new township, administrative complex and a conference centre, to be sited on a 168-acre land, will provide the much-needed expansion for Serian.
“And with the Pan Borneo Highway being built passing through Serian, there will be a flyover built to replace the small roundabout. Serian will have a new look in the next two to three years,” he told a press conference after chairing the Pesta Birumuh 2017 organising committee meeting at the District and Resident’s Office here yesterday.
Manyin said Pesta Birumuh 2017 would also coincide with the first official visit by Abang Johari to Serian as chief minister.
“I believe the chief minister will also announce a few additional projects for Serian at the event,” he added.
The administrative complex, together with a conference centre, which is said to replace the civic centre concept, will cost around RM200 million.
The Serian New Township project will involve the construction of 500 houses as well as 240 shops and commercial units.
The late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced the elevation of Serian from a district into a division at Pesta Birumuh 2015. He also launched the administrative complex, conference centre and the new township project in April last year.
Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, said the Borneo Development Corporation (BDC) would be the project developer.
“The government has acquired the land for the purpose, with the compensation already paid to the landowners,” he said.