New Samarahan Boulevard can become alternate venue for big events
(From right) Rubiah, Abdul Karim and other dignitaries pose for the camera prior to the pre-launch of Taman Tasik Desa Ilmu in Kota Samarahan.
KOTA SAMARAHAN (April 23): The upcoming Samarahan Boulevard could become an alternate venue to host major events, and relieve the congestion at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
In stating this, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak revealed that Phase 1 of the project had already been awarded out to a contractor, signalling that construction would commence soon.
'Major events are often held at the Padang Central Kuching (now Padang Merdeka) since the 1960s. However, Kuching has traffic jams whenever such events take place there.
'Since Samarahan is already seen as the 'Greater Kuching', we have planned to build this boulevard on the big land that is available.
'This boulevard would be the largest in Sarawak, and possibly the largest in Borneo or Malaysia. It is about 2km and over 20m wide, and would have all the facilities to hold an assembly just like in the Putrajaya Boulevard,' he said at the pre-launch of the Taman Tasik Desa Ilmu project yesterday.
On the Taman Tasik Desa Ilmu project, Abdul Karim said the RM6.8 million development would be implemented under Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA).
He stated that with more people purchasing houses in Samarahan and the growing higher learning institution student population, Taman Tasik Desa Ilmu would attract many people to exercise and hold recreational activities.
'We are aware that this area is a place for residents in Desa Ilmu to jog and have fun activities.
'Hence, it would be a good move to elevate this place so that there is a parking lot, a toilet, a place for reflexology and more — a little bit of everything would elevate the way of life, the residents' well-being, and strengthen family bonding,' added Abdul Karim.
Also present yesterday were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang; Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak Datuk Rahman Lariwoo; and Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Shapiee. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah construction events lead Samarahan Boulevard
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