SIBU, Dec 4 — Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) members have been urged to consider exploring the potential of developing a sub-centre or township and housing project in the west bank of Sibu.
State Minister of Local Government & Community Development, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, said with a relatively cheaper land in the area more properties, especially the affordable houses below RM300,000 per unit, could be built.
“As both Upper Lanang Bridge and Igan Bridge are toll-free, it would be a good consideration not only to the developers but also the property buyers to move to the west bank,” he said at the opening of SHEDA Home and Property Roadshow Sibu 2015 here Friday.
Wong, who is also State Minister of Finance II, proposed that SHEDA to also consider exploring the potential of constructing a China Village to cater to well-to-do Chinese nationals who were looking for a second home abroad.
“During winter, those in Beijing or in the north-eastern part of the country always go to Hainan Island or Guangxi region in the south to escape the harsh weather,” he said.
However, he said, the two places were not able to cope with the increasing population and the Chinese were looking for some other places.
Wong said Sibu would record tremendous growth in the next five years.
He said among the projects that would make Sibu grow was University College of Technology Sarawak’s project to build a centre for international education.
The college’s current intake of 1,500 students would be increased to 5,000, he said.
In collaboration with the Laila Taib College, he said, it would also offer short courses for foreign students such as English language course.
“The Koreans are sending their children abroad for short courses during the winter break and if they come in big numbers, their parents would come too,” he said, adding that there would be huge potential for property development in Sibu in years to come.
— BERNAMA
