Samarahan Boulevard to transform town into strategic urban hub, says Abd Karim

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Jan 17): Samarahan is set to become a strategically planned urban hub with the upcoming Samarahan Boulevard, a landmark project designed to transform the town’s landscape and community spaces.

Stretching 1.44 kilometres from Masjid Al-Muttaqin to the Majlis Perbandaran Kota Samarahan (MPKS), the boulevard will serve as a central venue for recreation, social interaction, and large-scale events, further positioning Samarahan as a modern and vibrant town.

State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, described the project as a forward-looking initiative that will place Samarahan on a new development trajectory.

“This boulevard is a strategic project that will elevate Samarahan into a key urban hub once completed,” he said during the groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Premier Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the project site here.

He highlighted that the town has experienced rapid growth since the 1980s, particularly with the establishment of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), making Samarahan a centre for education and knowledge.

“With Kuching expanding rapidly, Samarahan has emerged as a preferred residential area for both locals and Kuching-based workers, particularly young families.

“The development of the boulevard provides essential recreational and social spaces to enhance community well-being,” he added.

The boulevard and public square will offer an alternative venue for state-level events, which currently contribute to congestion in Kuching, supporting Samarahan’s role as a strategic urban centre for the next few decades.

Abdul Karim, who is also Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) chairman, said the agency has implemented 637 development projects in the Samarahan Division, with nearly 80 per cent completed, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable and beneficial development.

The boulevard project will be executed in phases. Phase One, focusing on basic infrastructure and recreational facilities, has a budget of RM25 million, while Phase Two is allocated RM102 million.

Once completed, Samarahan Boulevard will not only serve as a community hub but also a defining landmark, complementing other major infrastructure plans, including the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, elevated highways, a proposed international airport, and a seaport.