Abang Johari (second right) inspecting a dilapidated bridge at Kampung Kudei Lama. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung

KUCHING: Kampung Kudei here will undergo transformation in tandem with the rapid development in Satok.

In announcing this, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state had allocated about RM4.6 million this year for the urbanisation exercise in Satok constituency.

He said RM2 million would be used to replace two bridges connecting Kampung Kudei Lama and Kampung Kudei Baru. To be built at a cost of RM1 million each, the bridges will cater for pedestrians and motorcycles and benefit about 700 households with a combined population of some 3,000 in both villages.

The Satok assemblyman added that other projects include the upgrading of a community hall for the non-Muslim community at Kampung Kudei Baru, estimated to cost about RM100,000.

“The Malays and other Bumiputera communities make up the majority of the Kampung Kudei population. To attract visitors to this area, the design of the two bridges would have to be iconic and relevant to tourism. In this sense, we are also looking at preserving the heritage of the Malay community here.

“The bottom line is that the development of Kampung Kudei must be fitted with modern facilities and that is why we are doing this in phases. With all these in place, tourists can visit Satok all the way to Kampung Kudei,” Abang Johari told reporters after inspecting one of the bridges at Kampung Kudei Lama yesterday.

He mentioned that the development in Kampung Kudei would be carried in stages from the Sg Maong area all the way to Batu Kawah, as part of the urbanisation process of Kuching city. New housing projects, including low-cost schemes would also be built in these areas as part of the effort to resettle squatters in Kampung Kudei, he added.

Abang Johari also mentioned that traffic lights would be installed at the junction of Jalan Haji Mataim-Jalan Muhibbah and Jalan Haji Mataim-Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol to reduce traffic congestion, which would cost about RM800,000.

In addition, he announced that RM1.7 million would be used to install light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights along all the roads in the Satok area, including those in housing estates and villages, which would be implemented by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).

“Installing LED street lights would cut cost as they consume much less energy than the conventional streetlights. At the same time, such lighting offers brighter illumination. With this in place, Satok will become the first area in this city to use LED street lights,” he continued.

He expected the bridge projects, community hall, LED streetlights and traffic light installation to be completed by December.

On other future developments, Abang Johari said apart from the Satok golden triangle area of Jalan Haji Taha, the state was looking to develop a commercial centre equipped with modern IT facilities between Jalan Masjid and Jalan P. Ramlee.