Chief Minister sees proposed RM70-million city hall building as his ‘legacy’ for resort city
Abang Johari and Juma’ani (third and second right) join Uggah, Dr Sim and Ting (sixth to fourth right, respectively) in the traditional tossing of the ‘yee sang’ during the Chinese New Year gathering in Miri. Seen at the next table are (from left) Lukanisman, Penguang, Gerawat and Lee.
MIRI: The new administration centre for Miri City Council (MCC) could become another icon for this resort city, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Upon completion, the RM70-million city hall building would not only help strengthen the city’s economic development, but also boost its tourism industry.
“There is no city without a city hall. Thus, the state government has agreed to build a city hall, estimated to cost about RM70 million.
“We are developing the tourism-related infrastructure, as tourism has always been a priority in our economic development agenda for Miri,” he said during a Chinese New Year gathering hosted by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Miri-Sibuti Parliamentary Liaison Committee at Meritz Hotel here on Friday.
Moreover, Abang Johari regarded the city hall project as his ‘legacy’, commemorating his contribution to Mirians.
“At least people would know that during my time as the chief minister, I have built this city hall (for Miri),” he said.
On the project site, Abang Johari disclosed that the Miri Central Park near Marina ParkCity had been identified, in view of its status as a new development area and having good ‘feng shui’ – in that it is facing the sea.
Abang Johari receives a memento from Ting (third left), witnessed by Uggah (fourth right), Dr Sim (fifth right), as well as (from right) Penguang, Gerawat, Lee, Rosey and Sharifah Hasidah.
However, he slammed those who had criticised and questioned the Sarawak government’s proposal to build the city hall building in the area.
“Without the Marina, we need another strategic area for Miri. We are looking into it. Some people have complained, although it (project) has not been implemented yet. They keep on giving empty promises. We, the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak), fulfil our promises. That’s our difference with them – we are determined to upgrade Miri,” stressed Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, Miri mayor Adam Yii said the overall budget for the city hall project here is estimated at RM92 million, after factoring in the land cost of RM22 million.
Yii said the Sarawak government had agreed to bear the cost of construction, which should commence in April and with the works to run for about 18 months, the project should reach completion by October next year.
On tourism, Abang Johari acknowledged the limited air connectivity as a major hindrance and in this respect, the Sarawak government is mulling over having its own airline.
“The business community in Miri have voiced out their plight about the hotels in Miri being empty.
“So, the state government has to invest in the infrastructure, including an airline.”
Abang Johari believed that with the availability of various business models today, the Sarawak government was thinking of renting planes instead of buying them.
“We do not have to buy planes, but we need them. So, we can rent planes from one point to another.”
He also pointed out the 36-hole golf course here that could become an attraction for tourists from Korea, as well as the natural attractions at Niah and Mulu national parks.
“The Koreans, who love to play golf but cannot play it in their country as it is usually cold there, can come to Miri.
“The attractions and infrastructures are here in Miri – the only problem is (connectivity of) flights.”
In this regard, Abang Johari stressed that the air connectivity problem must be resolved, adding that on Sarawak government level, discussions over Sarawak having its own carrier are still on-going.
“I’m determined to invest in Sarawak airline, although some may say that the state government is being very ambitious.
“Give me time – I need to discuss; I have a formula, but I cannot reveal it to you tonight. You just need to pray and help me materialise this,” said Abang Johari, pointing out that the GPS-led Sarawak government has a clear economic policy.
Further, he said the Sarawak government has the fund to materialise the Sarawak airline plan, which should help to boost growth in the local tourism industry.
Abang Johari also talked about upgrading works on facilities at Niah National Park, which is regarded as a ‘heritage of humanity’ as the place has been identified as the earliest human settlement dating back to 65,000 years ago.
“We want to uphold Niah Cave as a heritage site for its historical value and to attract more people, who are interested in early (human) settlements, come to Miri,” he said.
Additionally, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government had agreed that the former Resident’s Office would be turned into a cultural museum and also a cultural centre.
Touching on Miri Port, the chief minister said he had a formula to address the problem of shallow estuary in Kuala Baram, which would require detailed studies and large provisions.
He said the discussion was held with the Miri Port Authority two months ago, in that those present acknowledged the possibility of deepening the estuary of Kuala Baram River.
“We want to do something about Miri Port, including the warehouse at Miri River. We want to study the cost and the current flow of the river, and decide how to implement it including the maintenance costs,” said Abang Johari, who attended the Chinese New Year gathering with his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
Meanwhile on housing projects in the resettlement areas, he said the Sarawak government, under its new policy, would bear the cost for land-clearing works, as well as the construction of paved roads and concrete drains.
According to him, the government wants to build residential properties priced from RM60,000 to RM150,000 per unit, to enable low-income citizens acquire their own houses.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian who is also SUPP president, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin who is also SUPP Miri-Sibuti Parliamentary Liaison Committee chairman, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, and Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting who was also the event organising chairman, were also present at the gathering.