Sarawak tourism minister seeks to restore Samarahan Boulevard budget after cost cuts remove key features

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By Shikin Louis

KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 6: Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is seeking to restore the original budget for the Samarahan Boulevard project after earlier cost-cutting measures resulted in the removal of several planned features, including recreational facilities.

He said the project, under the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), expected to cost more than RM100 million, had undergone a cost review by the Sarawak Financial Secretary’s (SFS) Office, which significantly reduced the allocation.

However, he said the reduction resulted in the removal of several components proposed by the project’s consultants and architects.

“When the SFS Office evaluated the project, the cost was reduced. But when the reduction became too drastic, many components had to be taken out. Thus, the architects met with my ministry because many things had to be removed.

“The changes had already been approved by the Sarawak Cabinet and the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg), but if those components are left out, the project would no longer reflect what was originally intended, especially the recreational areas,” he told reporters after the postponement ceremony of the Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF) 2026 held at Pasar Tamu MPKS Desa Ilmu site here tonight.

Abdul Karim, who is also Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development as well as Asajaya assemblyman, further said he subsequently met the Premier to appeal for the project’s allocation to be reconsidered.

“I went back to meet the Premier to request that the project cost be reviewed again. God willing, it will be approved, bringing it back close to the original amount proposed by the consultants,” he added.

He did not disclose the exact revised or original allocation, but said the project is expected to cost more than RM100 million once completed.

The project is being implemented in phases, with the first phase nearing completion while works on the second phase are expected to commence soon.

He said the first phase alone cost more than RM20 million.

Earlier in his speech, Abdul Karim said the Samarahan Boulevard was envisioned as a long-term development for the next 10 to 50 years, designed to support future State-level celebrations and major public gatherings.

He said the project aims to decentralise major events from Kuching city centre, which has long hosted celebrations such as the Governor’s birthday, National Day and Malaysia Day at Padang Merdeka since 1963.

He pointed out that such events often cause severe traffic congestion in the city, including large-scale closures during events like the Sarawak Regatta.

“Earlier today, I chaired the Sarawak Regatta, which is expected to be held in September. The whole Kuching Waterfront and surrounding roads will be closed for about 10 days.

“That is what happens when major programmes are held in a city area — everything gets congested. This is why we need to decentralise,” he said.

Abdul Karim said the boulevard in Samarahan would serve as a legacy project, enabling large-scale State celebrations to be held outside Kuching in the future.

In a previous report dated Jan 17, Samarahan Boulevard was announced as a 1.44-kilometre landscaped public space stretching from the Masjid Al-Muttaqin area to the MPKS building.

Covering 23.3 hectares (57.28 acres), the project features a mix of family-friendly leisure areas, active zones for health and wellness, as well as nature-based spaces with jogging and cycling trails. — DayakDaily

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