Ibraco Pelita to undertake Kuching Waterfront extension

By JACK WONG
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The project will be carried out by 75%-owned subsidiary Ibraco Pelita Sdn Bhd, with the remaining 25% equity interest being held by Pelita Holdings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the state-owned Land Custody and Development Authority or Pelita.
Ibraco managing director Chew Chiaw Han
said the project would transform the riverbank of Sarawak River into a
multi-purpose waterfront explanade, providing an ideal venue for
outdoor activities.
KUCHING: Ibraco Bhd
is undertaking an ambitious Kuching Waterfront extension project, which
involves massive land reclamation along the Sarawak River that will
transform the city's golden triangle into a vibrant leisure and
entertainment hub. “The extension project and reclamation works is expected to take five years,” he told StarBiz after the project's earth-breaking ceremony by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday.
The
nearly 1km Kuching Waterfront, stretching from Grand Margherita Hotel
to the city's oldest business and heritage belt along Jalan Main
Bazaar, will be extended by another 1km from Grand Margherita to beyond
Jalan Chan Chin Ann.
The Kuching Waterfront, a project by the Sarawak State Economic Development Corp, opened in 1993.
Chew said the project's design was being finalised by a team comprising both local and foreign consultants.
“The
project cost has not been finalised. Ibraco would finance the project
via internally generated funds and/or bank borrowings.”
Ibraco Pelita is undertaking the design, construction and completion of the project fully at its own cost and expenses.
As
such, Ibraco had said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on May 15 that
Ibraco Pelita shall accept as consideration payment in kind from the
Sarawak government including, but not limited to, any part of the
waterfront extension project land, which the joint-venture firm will
procure to be alienated in blocks to it or its wholly owned
subsidiaries.
“The significance of this extension project is to
transform the riverbank into a vibrant and modern development with an
active waterfront promenade that caters for the public, tourists,
different end-users, surrounding communities and residents and also a
focal point for different business activities,” said Chew.
The waterfront extension project will feature several key zones:
● The Landscaped Garden Plaza or an open-air civic square for general public leisure, gatherings and events;
●
The Riverfront Pedestrian Mall a public promenade integrated
side-by-side with the ground floor and facility podium of high-rise
serviced apartments, creating an open-air promenade and semi-enclosed
public walk, the latter of which would be ideal for restaurants, cafes
and kiosks;
● The Festive Tourist and Entertainment Hub that
promotes stage performances, art and crafts, with outlets displaying
local handicraft and souvenir items. It will have themed food and
beverage outlets serving local cuisines and delicacies, and a
waterfront pavilion for people to experience the magnificant Sarawak
River sunset;
● An office park that houses both local and expatriate firms; and
● An exclusive waterfront residential development with a private jetty.
The
project also includes the improvement of public access and traffic
linage to the waterfront area, such as provisions for new river taxi
points, the construction of a 600m-long dual carriage esplanade road
and new car parks as well as landscaping of several roads.