BALAI RINGIN: The Sarawak Government has approved a new Integrated Administrative Centre (IAC) in Pantu, with RM5 million allocated for preliminary works.
Balai Ringin assemblyman, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, said the centre would be developed on a large site at Simpang Pantu in Sungai Merah.
He said the IAC would complement the proposed RM55-million satellite township under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) in Balai Ringin.
“These two development centres will eventually be brought together under a satellite township serving areas within the Sri Aman and Serian divisions,” he said.
He said this after officiating at a ceremony marking the completion of the Jalan Melikin upgrading project under GKCDA at Kampung Danau Keranggas Community Hall here today.
Snowdan said the developments formed part of a comprehensive master plan for the Balai Ringin constituency.
Under the plan, the area around SMK Balai Ringin and the recently completed mini stadium would be developed as an education and sports zone.
He noted that the constituency has 19 primary schools and one secondary school, with SMK Balai Ringin accommodating nearly 2,000 students, about half of whom are boarders.
“That is why the mini stadium was built in the Balai Ringin sub-district rather than Pantu, as it will provide students with a venue for sporting activities and help develop new athletes,” he added.
Snowdan, who is the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said about 100 schools from across Serian Division recently used the stadium for a divisional-level sports meet.
As such, he expressed hope that the Youth and Sports Ministry could use the stadium as a venue to identify new sporting talent.
