Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office Datuk Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, said yesterday that the State government had approved a masterplan to develop the new administrative hub on 50 hectares of land near the present Masja Building within the next five years.
"Medan Raya will be the next administrative centre in Sarawak and the administrative centre for the Kuching City North Hall (DBKU) in the next five to ten years' time," he told journalists after opening Bumiputera-Commerce Bank's (BCB) branch at Masja Building here yesterday.
Commercial as well as administrative complexes would be constructed in the area, Awang Tengah said, adding: "There will be a mixture of buildings. The tallest building will have 27 floors. They are part of a masterplan, which has already been approved. Work on a few blocks of building will commence very soon."
He pointed out that BCB was the first bank to open its branch in Masja Building. The opening of the branch, he added, augured well for the business as well as the local communities in the vicinity.
On the proposed e-transaction Bill which will be tabled in Parliament soon, Awang Tengah said it would ensure customers' satisfaction and transparency.
"I think it is good to have more sophisticated machines. This move is in tandem with the nation's desire to be ahead in electronic industries," he said. Earlier in his speech, Awang Tengah urged all banks, especially BCB to introduce more facilities for local SMIs in line with the government policy.
BCB Petra Jaya Branch Manager, Omar Ali bin Mat Jais also spoke at the function. Also present were BCB Regional Manager for Sabah and Sarawak, Ali Adai, and State Assemblywoman for Dalat, Hajah Fatimah Abdullah.
Reported by Peter Sibon -Sarawak Tribune
Tuesday, 11th February 2003
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