KUCHING: Virtual reality (VR) is a solution mooted by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to conduct simulations on city planning and public transportation. He was commenting on Sarawak Land and Survey Department’s latest innovation — 3D City Modelling — a project developed with the objective of assisting in urban renewal.
“With 3D modelling, you can visualise how to do city planning using simulations,” said Abang Johari when addressing delegates during the department’s Innovation and Integrity Day here yesterday. “We can have 3D modelling based on our master plan, which will take traffic management into account.”
Abang Johari shared his vision of improving the public transport in the state by introducing Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART). “I want to implement ART. It is a system without the need for rails and utilises artificial intelligence as its driver.
“This is a hybrid between a bus and a train. It looks like a train but uses wheels and moves on the road, not rails,” he explained. On the topic of city planning and urban development, Abang Johari revealed that the state government’s policy is to help the less fortunate in building their homes. “I have come up with a new housing scheme. The cost of infrastructure, including roads, walls and drains, will be absorbed by the state government.
“This is because of rising cost of houses and we want to help the low income group to build affordable houses.” The chief minister also coined revenue engineering and hinted that he is coming up with a new revenue stream.
“Before this no one talks about sales tax, only on royalty. Now we have imposed a sales tax on our petroleum export. The law is on our side this time,” he added. Among those present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion, Urban Development and Resources Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit and Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources permanent secretary Wan Lizozman Wan Omar.
