KUCHING: The Sarawak government will provide land, a new building, and hostel facilities for the Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU), with the proposed site to be located in Samarahan, near the upcoming Tanjung Embang international airport.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the choice of Samarahan was strategic, given its status as an education hub and its growing connectivity.
“Perhaps we can develop STU’s land or place STU near the new airport in Tanjung Embang. We can place it near Samarahan because it is an education hub with many universities in the area.
“The engineering institute will also be located nearby. So I may look for a site there for STU,” he said in his speech during STU’s Diamond Jubilee dinner held at a hotel here last night (Sept 14).
Abang Johari said improved connectivity through projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway, the coastal road network, and major bridges including the Batang Lupar, Krian, Saribas, Lassa and Paloh bridges would significantly reduce travel times.
“For example, once completed, the journey from Kuching to Sibu using the coastal road may take only two and a half hours. In Samarahan, we are building a bridge from Demak Laut directly to Beliong, Meranek, and on to Samarahan — a journey of just 20 minutes,” he said.
He said there would also be a direct route from Jalan Demak in Sejingkat straight to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), besides the existing road in Samarahan, which would also take about 20 minutes.
The upcoming airport in Tanjung Embang, he said, is also near Samarahan.
“Therefore, the circumstances will change, and teachers’ travel will be faster and connections closer,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that the state government would therefore support STU in terms of land and other facilities.
“I understand. It has to be a package. Whatever I can assist STU with to ensure you have your own building, I will,” he assured.
He also cited the state government’s recent support for the Bidayuh community, which now has a hostel in Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, as an example of assistance given to ensure members’ accommodation needs are met.
“Likewise for STU, because you may have members from outside coming here and needing accommodation,” he added.
