BINTULU: The Jepak constituency will be fully developed as a smart city and reap the benefits of development just like the other major constituencies in the state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The completion of the Jepak Bridge by 2025 is one such testament to its many developments to come, making it on par with other developed cities in Sarawak.
He said the state government is committed to implementing development policies that will not exclude Jepak, which is intended to be developed as a smart city.
“We hope that by 2025, when the bridge is completed, Jepak will become more like Bintulu city while Kidurong and Samalaju will continue to be developed as well.
“When there is a strong sense of unity, we will be able to implement development policies which will include Jepak.
“We will implement our policies well so that smart cities can materialise,” Abang Johari said at the Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri held at the Kampung Warisan Jepak community hall here yesterday.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi, and Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talip Zulpilip who is also Jepak Jaya Development advisor.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government will continue with its initiative to develop affordable housing in Jepak.
“We know that the cost of infrastructure and building a house, at least the value of the house, is estimated to be over RM300,000.
“However, the Sarawak government took the approach of creating an initiative to help the people own a house for just RM100,000.
“We will also develop this (affordable housing) in Jepak, which has been implemented in Darul Hana, Sungai Bedaun and Kemuyang in Sibu,” he said.
At the same event, Abang Johari officiated at the opening ceremony of Surau Al-Muhajirin and Kampung Warisan Jepak community hall.
He presented a donation of RM10,000 each to Sarawak Orphans Welfare Organisation (PERYATIM) Bintulu, Koperasi Wawasan Ibu Tunggal Bintulu and the secretariat of Saudara Kita Jepak branch.
Juma’ani also presented a donation of RM10,000 to Peryatim Bintulu.
