KUCHING: The bulk of the RM1.5 billion allocation under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) has been earmarked for infrastructure development as it forms the backbone of long-term economic growth and balanced urban expansion.
GKCDA Special Administrative Officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said infrastructure investments were prioritised to ensure Greater Kuching is well-prepared to support future population growth, attract high-value investments and enhance the overall quality of life for residents across the region.
He noted that the multi-million infrastructure projects within the GKCDA region are mostly about roads and bridges because they believed that these are foundational elements that enable all other sectors to grow sustainably.
Ik explained that many infrastructure projects under the GKCDA framework are aimed to open up rural areas so that the villages and the lands are accessible by roads, which can expedite the mobility of people and the agriculture produce from the farms.
“Aside from that, if the roads are good the villagers who had been living in town will come back and work from the village to and fro.
“Our target is so that everybody can work from home, can drive from home and from their work places. The roads are implemented to shorten driving time so that many will live in the villages, where the cost of living will be lower,” he said
He hoped by 2027 all multi-million road projects will be completed.
The biggest road projects to be implemented in GKCDA is the link road project that connects Kampug Semeru in Padawan to Kpg Kuhom in Tebedu and Teng Bukap in Padawan, which connects Mambong, Tebedu and Tarat constituencies.
“This road project, which cost RM95 million, will open up new areas. The consultant had been appointed to design the proposed projects and the project will be implemented this year. This project is identified under Tarat state constituency,” he said.
Ik said other major projects are in Mambong — the upgrading of Jalan Sapit and Jalan Kiding which cost RM20 million and RM9 million respectively.
He said the consultants had been appointed to do the survey works and land acquisition because they have to pay the ex-gratia to the landowners.
He said the project would be tender out once the land acquisition and the ex-gratia payment had been settled.
“The rest of the road projects are mostly farm roads,” he added.
Ik noted that a total of 394 infrastructure projects, which cost almost RM1 billion, will be implemented within the GKCDA region.
Aside from roads and bridges, he said the infrastructure also includes utilities, drainage systems, flood mitigation, adding that these are foundational elements that enable all other sectors including the economic activities to grow sustainably.
Ik said the focus on infrastructure reflects the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive, competitive and liveable Greater Kuching region.
“Infrastructure development is an investment in people and the future. It lays the groundwork for sustainable growth and shared prosperity under the GKCDA vision,” he said.
