KUCHING – The Kampung Buntal Business Square and Esplanade development here that aims to revive the local hawker economy and beautify the coastal landscape in this area has commenced recently. The study visit was held on 19 January and the temporary hawker resettlement, for existing hawkers during construction, was inspected.
The group was led by Datuk Dr Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department and Project Coordinator, Regional Development Agency for North Kuching City Hall (DBKU) and Islamic Affairs.
He was joined by Officer Ts. Mohamad Faisal bin Adenan, Deputy Director of DBKU Infrastructure Services, and staff from the Building and Engineering Projects Division, village leaders as well as the chairman at committee level complete with project contractor.
Both of which, the project will lead to an estimated RM1 million investment in two key areas. The first one is the Kampung Buntal Multipurpose Square and Public Amenities, with an allocation of RM230,000. The other is a RM750,000 allocation for Kampung Buntal Open Multipurpose Hall.
These facilities collectively will help locate hawkers to a permanent home at Lot 664, while creating opportunities and sustaining livelihoods as part of the bigger Esplanade development.
Business Square and Esplanade have been constructed to facilitate the hawkers, who will get better infrastructure and new facilities. The plaza will be an activity centre and the market square a locus to accommodate the traders in an organised and convenient space.
Officials stressed that the project demonstrates Sarawak Government’s and DBKU’s support in empowering small businesses, as well as improving public facilities. The project aims to enhance livelihoods, promote footfall and support long-term sustainable local economy by investing in hawker infrastructure.
Apart from economic spin-offs, the Esplanade project would also beautify the Kampung Buntal coastal area, which will be a bustling and exciting place for residents apart from providing an attractive environment for visitors.
The development is part of a wider strategy of managing economic growth to favour community well-being so that local traditions and forms of employment are safeguarded as new facilities are built.
Community leaders have high hopes that the facility will enliven hawker operations and stimulate more social interaction and cultural exchange. The amenities were expected to be the centrepiece for meetings, functions and tourists as well, to further align Kampung Buntal’s development plans with Kuching’s citywide plans.
The site visit was a start of the transformation to give Kampung Buntal a new identity through economic empowerment, coalesced with coastal renewal. With work in progress, the project will bring long-term benefits to hawkers, locals and visitors alike and reflects Sarawak’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
