Govt plans to turn Gambier Street into business district
KUCHING: Plans to redevelop Gambier Street are in the pipeline as the state government wants to give the area a facelift and turn it into a new business district.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the state government not only intends to redevelop the area, but to preserve its historical features as well.
This is because Gambier Street, like Jalan Padungan, has many historical features and is currently a hub location for trade and commerce.
“Due to Gambier Street being an area that is ever developing for trade and commerce, the state government has a long-term plan to redevelop the area. We will also preserve Gambier Street’s historical features including the old buildings – not removing any of them as we redevelop the area,” Abang Johari said during a press conference at the N8 Satok Service Centre, Jalan Kulas here yesterday.
He said what the state government would do is to add more infrastructure in the area so that more investors would come in.
Abang Johari also remarked that Gambier Street’s redevelopment plan is in connection with the state’s push to develop digital economy and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
The chief minister disclosed that the long-term redevelopmentcum-facelift project would take around 10 years to reach completion.
Other areas near Gambier Street such as Jalan Haji Taha, Jalan P Ramlee and Padang Pasir would also undergo development by the state government as well.
“I will provide more details about this project once the planning in the early stages is complete. What is certain is that we want Gambier Street to become an important business district such as Padungan, MJC Batu Kawah (Batu Kawah New Township) and Kota Sentosa,” he said.
At the press conference, Abang Johari also briefly mentioned that the Satok area – a state constituency where he is the assemblyman – would see more infrastructure built there soon.
With the new infrastructure coupled with the assistance of Perbadanan Amanah Satok and Yayasan Bumiputera, Abang Johari was confident that Satok would develop an economic strength of its own in three years’ time.
Meanwhile, a total of 13 mosques and suraus across the Satok constituency received donations from Abang Johari prior to the press conference.
“These donations are to help the mosques and suraus in my constituency with their religious activities throughout the fasting month of Ramadan. Before this year, I would usually go to all mosques and suraus in my constituency throughout the month but due to my greater responsibilities (after being appointed chief minister), that might not be possible as I have many invitations and people to meet across the state – not just in my own area,” he said.
As Satok assemblyman, Abang Johari assured his constituents that he would always assist the mosques and suraus there in the best way that he possibly could.