Lundu to undergo a major transformation — Wan Junaidi
LUNDU: A blueprint to transform Lundu into a new satellite town will be unveiled soon by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Santubong MP cum Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told The Borneo Post yesterday that the master plan was consistent with the state government’s plan to turn the coastal area from Muara Tebas to Tanjung Datu into a tourism belt.
A few consortiums submitted
It will be private sector-driven, but the government will do the necessary planning and provide the necessary infrastructure.
their master plans for considerations and the best one would be picked for implementation under the 11th Malaysia Plan, which begins next year.
“It will be private sector- driven, but the government will do the necessary planning and provide the necessary infrastructure. As it will be private sector driven, we do not want the private sector to ask too many things from us as they must come up with the money,” stressed Wan Junaidi.
When pressed for the location of the proposed new township, Wan Junaidi was prepared to only say that it would “not be far” from Lundu town. He explained it was not fair even to disclose the master plan as Adenan had yet to be briefed.
“But since you, the media, are asking about the big plan for Lundu and Sematan, I have to oblige so that the people will know that we are actually doing something for Lundu.
“Once the people know that the government will do something, then it will be easier to convince the people to participate in the whole process of development there,” he said.
Commenting on the Tanjung Datu constituency of which Adenan is the assemblyman, Wan Junaidi said the Lundu- Sematan area would be opened up for major eco-tourism based developments.
Wan Junaidi said the PanBorneo Highway, for instance, would start from Tanjung Datu on the southern tip of Sematan right up to Sabah in the north.
“When the project is implemented, it will open up more land that will benefit the local people as well.
“On top of that, tourists will be able to visit Tanjung Datu National Park as well as the Simunsam Wildlife Sanctuary by road.
“At present, these two tourism sites can only be reached by boat.
“When the road project takes off, it will be easier to attract businessmen to build more chalets, hotels and resorts in Sematan and Lundu, which have beautiful beaches for picnic, fishing and snorkelling.
“The whole area will be well patronised as there are many natural phenomena there, such as the turtle sanctuary in TalangTalang Islands and dolphin sightseeing.”
Wan Junaidi said Lundu was also famous for its Rafflesia flowers at Gunung Gading, which draws an increasing number of visitors annually.
“In short, Sematan and Lundu, and for that matter the whole coastal area from Tanjung Datu to Muara Tebas, would one day become an important tourism belt, and its full potential must be fully tapped.”
Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Santubong MP