Artist’s impression of the proposed single-storey Durin Community and Cultural Centre.
THE proposed single-storey Durin Community and Cultural Centre in Sibu, Sarawak, will finally become a reality next year.
“Phase One of the project costing RM5.6mil will start as it has been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” said Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai.
Speaking at a press conference after the district council’s full board meeting, Sempurai said the whole project, which had four phases covering a land area of 2.22ha, involved a cost of RM6.5mil.
Phase one consists of a pasar tamu (farmer’s market) and food stalls, phase two the community centre, phase three a bus terminal and phase four an extension of the food stall area.
SRDC deputy chairman Wong Ching Yong said the project was first mooted in 2010 by then Dudong assemblyman Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck.
“When Dr Soon retired in 2011, it caused the project to die a natural death,” he said.
The project was finally approved by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Nov 14, 2022, when it was brought to his attention by Wong, who was Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) candidate for Lanang seat in the 14th General Election.
“With this project, vehicles travelling along the Pan Borneo Highway can now make a pit-stop to rest.
“With the pasar tamu, the natives of more than 100 longhouses in Durin can now sell their produce there instead of in Sibujaya and Sibu town.
“This will increase business activity in the area,” said Wong.
Meanwhile, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said a pasar tamu would be built in Kampung Sentosa, Sibu, to cater for people there who were mostly from the B40 and M40 groups.
“Along with the Land and Survey Department, we are now trying to find a suitable site in the area,” he said.
Chieng said the first 0.6ha site identified was turned down by Abang Johari as it was too small.
“He wants at least 2ha of government land to build a more comprehensive pasar tamu with ample parking space for traders and visitors,” he said after attending the Sentosa Closed 9-Aside Football Competition.
“That way, we can avoid traffic congestion in the area.”
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian had on Aug 14 last year recommended a place near the main road of the village for the tamu building.
The location is suitable because it is in the middle of Kampung Sentosa.
The two-day football competition was jointly organised by the Voluntary Patrol Scheme of Jalan Sentosa Resettlement Scheme and Bukit Assek SUPP.
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