GEDONG: The Sarawak Government is set to expand the Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) across the state, leveraging improved logistics systems and coastal road networks that shorten travel distances, save time, and reduce the need for residents to migrate to major towns.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the successful implementation of SPK in several areas proves the effectiveness of this approach in meeting the growing demand for more planned settlements.
“For example, residents of Samarahan who work in Kuching no longer need to buy or build houses in the city centre because the location is already nearby,” he added.
“Same as in Peninsular Malaysia, people work in Kuala Lumpur but live in Seremban.”
Abang Johari said this at a press conference after his working visit to SPK Gedong Baru here today.
He added that in Sungai Bedaun, Kuching, and in Sibu, SPK projects have been fully completed, while about 50 per cent of Kabong’s project has been completed.
Other locations identified for expansion include Simunjan, Kampung Tambirat, Sambir, Sadong Jaya, Beladin, Semop, Pusa, Daro, Sebuyau, Lawas and Trusan.
Abang Johari noted that new road networks will connect coastal areas directly, making travel shorter and more efficient.
“From Kuching to Sri Aman, you can use the new route from Sejingkat Bridge directly to Beliong, Sebuyau and onwards to the destination, covering a distance of about 120 kilometres,” he said.
“If driving on the highway at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour, the journey to Sri Aman takes only about one hour.”
He added that the Batang Lupar II Road Project, currently under construction, will cut travel time from Sri Aman to Betong to around 30 minutes.
“This means the journey from Kuching to Betong will take only about one hour 30 minutes once the bridge and new road are fully completed,” he reiterated.
“This move will bring areas such as Gedong, Samarahan and Sebuyau closer to Kuching in terms of distance and time, thereby opening opportunities for residents to live in rural areas even while working in the state capital.”
He said Gedong will also be linked to Beliong and Tanjung Embang, and a dual carriageway from Munggu Kopi, Serian into Gedong, then onwards to Samarahan and Rembus, is planned.
Additionally, he said a modern public transport system, the Automated Rail Transit (ART), will pass through Gedong to Rembus, Samarahan, and onwards to the Sarawak Heart Centre (IJN Sarawak) and Tanjung Embang.
He added the overall plan aims to develop Gedong and surrounding areas as a fully planned satellite town for Kuching, similar to the role Samarahan plays today.
