KUCHING: Kampung Santubong, the place where civilisation in the state is believed to have first started, will be developed into a major tourist attraction, Santubong MP Datuk Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar disclosed yesterday.

He said the coastal protection and beautification project of the village is part of the plan to make it a tourist spot.

“We want to develop Santubong into a tourist spot because the name Santubong itself is historical and well-known throughout the world,” he said.

“It is here in Santubong that civilisation in Sarawak started.There are historical evidences to show that the Chinese traders arrived here before any other places in Sarawak.

“So we have to develop it so that its historical aspects will not be forgotten,” he told reporters during a visit to project site at Kampung Santubong, near here, yesterday.

According to Wan Junaidi, the coastal protection and beautification project will require not less than RM8 million.

“The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had recently approved a takeoff fund of RM3 million for the project.

But this morning, I was told by the officer-in-charge that it will start with RM1 million,” he said, adding that it would not be a problem as additional fund would be requested in the rolling plan.

Wan Junaidi said that both state and federal Drainage and Irrigation Departments (DID) would be drawing the plan for the project.

“My plan is to beautify the area.I also want a walkway of at least 12 feet wide along the embankment, all the way right up to Kampung Terengganu near the primary school.

“We also want to install the lights and level the ground, with the aim of turning the place into a recreational spot.

“The crocodile rock where Sultan Tengah first landed and was murdered can also be shown and highlighted to tourists,” he said.

He said for the recreation facilities, he would apply for funds from the Ministry of Tourism while for the embankment project he would seek from the Economic Planning Unit.

Junaidi, who is also Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker, said the Prime Minister had given him the assurance that both the protection and beautification projects for Kampung Santubong would be given priority.

As asked when the project was going to take off, he replied, “As soon as the plan is ready and approved,” adding that the project might be completed within two to three years.

“I have asked the DID to get in touch with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to see how we can work on the Crocodile Rock so that there will be no overlapping,” he informed.

Junaidi believes the project will bring benefit to the people in the area.

(Source : New Sarawak Tribune Online, 19/5/11)