Abang Johari (centre) signs the plaque as Muhamad Yakup (second right), Sikie (second left) and others look on. – Information Department photo

BINTULU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has proposed that Kampung Jepak be developed into an area called Jepak Jaya.

He said that this was in line with the redevelopment plan on the other side of Bintulu Town and will be developed in an organised manner.

“Bintulu Town is already developing, so we want to develop this area (Kampung Jepak) and call it Jepak Jaya.

“If Kuching, there is Petra Jaya, then Bintulu will have Jepak Jaya whereby we are going to develop this area just like what we did in Petra Jaya,” he said when officiating at the launch of the Bintulu Town Redevelopment Plan project (Stage 1) at Jalan Jepak, Bintulu on Tuesday (Nov 23).

He said that however to name the area at Jepak Jaya will depend on the locals if they agree to it.

“We will open up the area by constructing affordable houses for the people like what has been done in Kemuyang, Sibu,” he said.

He added that he has instructed the Sarawak Land and Survey Department to provide 7,000 lots of land for the construction of affordable houses in Jepak area.

“This will be done in phases with each lot measuring about 12 points,” he said while adding that the locals can build the houses based on architectural features of the traditional ‘vaie’ design.

He added that the government will bear the infrastructure costs of the road, drainage, and utilities.

Apart from that, he said with the ongoing project of the Kuala Kemena Bridge which connects Bintulu to Jepak, and once completed will certainly open up new areas and increase economic growth in the area.

“The construction of the bridge has started of which will be completed in four to five years,” he said, adding that the cable-stayed bridge will shorten the journey from Bintulu airport to Bintulu Town.

For the record, in line with the Bintulu Central Business District (CBD) Study conducted in 2006, the government plans to relocate four villages, namely Kampung Sinong, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Dato and Kampung Sebiew to a redevelopment site in Jepak.

This move is in line with the construction of the Muara Kemena Bridge which is in full swing and is expected to be completed in 2023 which will benefit all residents of Kampung Jepak in particular and the residents of Bintulu in general.