Kota Samarahan poised to become Sarawak’s first linear city, says MPKS chairman

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Kota Samarahan is positioned to become Sarawak’s first linear city, says Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.

Kota Samarahan, known as an educational hub, is set to further develop into a medical centre with the completion of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Hospital, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), and the upcoming Sarawak Cancer Centre.

Minos expressed optimism about the town attaining city status within the next 50 years, foreseeing rapid development along the Samarahan Expressway.

The concept of a linear city, characterised by its elongated layout along a straight path, aligns with the active development along the expressway.

“Samarahan is not only an educational hub with institutions like Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Tun Abdul Razak Teachers Education Institution and Industrial Training Institute, but is becoming a medical hub with the hospital, cancer centre, infectious disease centre, and more.

“One day, by the year 2030, it will be a nice city – a linear city with one expressway from Jambatan Kuap to Jambatan Samarahan, incorporating shops, offices and housing. I think this would be the first in Sarawak.

So we are very proud,” he said during a press conference for the HSL Samarahan Marathon at Hock Seng Lee (HSL) Tower on Thursday (Jan 25).

Minos commended the organisation of the marathon, noting that such events contribute to the town’s global recognition.

He mentioned that Kota Samarahan currently has around 49,000 houses, expecting this number to reach 70,000 to 80,000 by 2030, alongside the growth of malls and shops.

Marathons, according to Minos, showcase the town to the world, contributing to its establishment and recognition.

Additionally, Kota Samarahan is actively engaged in constructing tracks for the prototype autonomous rapid transit (ART) smart tram at two key roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.

The initial phase is set to commence at the roundabout adjacent to the Sarawak Heart Centre, extending towards the roundabout near La Promenade Mall.

“With the introduction of ART, the completion of our traffic lights, and significant progress in addressing traffic issues nearby, our town is undergoing remarkable transformations,” Minos added.