Kuching is a blossoming city that has seen rapid expansion over the past few years.
MASSIVE DEVELOPEMENT: Photo shows an aerial view of The Isthmus which is slated to undergo a massive dwevelopement scheme with a GDV of RM2.8 billion.
More so now than ever, its residents and visitors alike see structures such as government buildings, shopping centres, hypermarkets, roads and flyovers popping up rapidly.
With all these developments and expansion programmes, the existing city centre and central business district (CBD) has filled up with no subsequent room to grow.
The little pockets of land that remain in the city are not suitable to build any new CBDs.
The envisioned idea to develop a new CBD in Kuching came about more than a decade ago.
The Isthmus was chosen because of it sizeable land area of about 297 acres, strategic location and great potential to be properly planned.
A catalyst project in the form of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) was built for this project to take a definitive foothold in the area and be developed into a vibrant new township.
With a very clear vision from the state government as to what the new CBD should encompass and portray, the master plan for The Isthmus was approved at the end of August.
It was slated as a green township, forward-looking and visionary to complement the BCCK which at the forefront of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions industry (MICE) is currently bringing a lot of visitors (foreign and domestic), revenue and attention to Sarawak as a whole.
Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB), in an ambitious joint venture with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) created CMS Land Development Sdn Bhd (CMS Land) to oversee the development of the Isthmus with an estimated gross development value of RM2.8 billion.
CMSB group managing director Dato' Richard Curtis told the BizHive Weekly, "This is a joint venture with the state government.
"We have been entrusted to drive this development project to meet the needs of the growing city and the people." To design this dynamic new addition to the city, a team of leading master planners from the US and Kuala Lumpur was brought in to work with a local architectural firm to conceptualise the The Isthmus as the site for the new CBD.
With a distinctly Sarawakian identity and design, the mammoth project was slated to be eco-friendly at heart and effectively the very first Green Building Index (GBI) certified township in Sarawak.
GBI is a certification scheme started by the Malaysian government to certify buildings with the right green components whether it is from rainwater harvesting, efficient construction, recycling materials, efficient use of electricity, proper sun-shading, and so on.
With regards to this, Curtis stated, "Every building here will be GBI certified thus making the project a GBI certified township.
"The GBI certification has now been extended from merely office and commercial buildings into entire townships.
"This is going to be the first one in Sarawak." Curtis continued, "The Isthmus will be a great catalyst for the transformation of Kuching with its sense of landscaping.
WELCOMING STRUCTURES: Artist's impression of The Gateway Towers which will be located on the south and of The Isthmus.
It had to reflect what Sarawak is about – rivers and this project was definitely destined to be Kuching's green riverine CBD.
Having a critical component such as a river in a township was an advantage not to be ignored and to actually incorporate it as part of the township would do wonders for the success of the project.
Taking cues from major cities that celebrated and accentuated their waterways since time immemorial, The Isthmus was slated to be a hub of riverine features with water transportation, canals and low rise buildings to enhance the adjacent waterways.
Apart from the township per se, the state government was striving to establish an intricate network of transportation modes to facilitate accessibility to The Isthmus in order to facilitate connectivity in the long run.
To this end, there would be a transportation hub with water taxis and buses located in the vicinity of the west bank of The Isthmus.
Currently funding for a river taxi jetty near the BCCK had been approved by the government, as announced by the state Minister of Tourism, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
As part of a riverine connectivity network, the state government was slated to upgrade the infrastructure to improve the public transport system and overall quality of living in the city which in turn would improve tourism standards in the state.
The chairman of the SEDC Datuk Talib Zulpilip stated, "Credit must be given to those involved in the planning and ongoing implementation process as they are meticulously executing the project as envisaged in the master plan."
"When the various buildings are implemented over time the Isthmus would be a good addition to the landscape and skyline of Kuching. The completed project will be replete with well planned and developed infrastructure, facilities such as hotels, a convention centre, sports facilities, well designed houses, shopping centres and numerous other components that are essential for a CBD.
"Ultimately it will be an ideal place to work, shop, live and for recreation. Being surrounded by water on both sides, this is an area with vast potential for water sports and recreational activities. Kuching is already a preferred venue for water sport activities with the recently successfully held International Waterski and International Wakeboard acting as testament in September.
"It was a great success that has generated a lot more interest and I am sure that more international events will flow in and be another boost for tourism in the state," he enthused.
Incorporating the philosophy of being visionary and very progressive, The Isthmus would also reflect the longstanding culture and tradition of its homeland that the locals can identify with and that visitors will glimpse and take back with them.
Elaborating on the elements of the project Curtis highlighted, "There are certain Sarawak design elements that will make you feel you know you're in Kuching. It is designed for Sarawakians, we've got Iban decorations, the use of balconies and connecting walkways with raised levels which remind of a 'ruai' in a longhouse. There is definitely a sense of belonging.
"It is not designed for tourists alone. Tourists don't come to Kuching to be in a cocoon. They come here because they like the people, the place and they feel like they can mingle. A lot of visitors come to Malaysia to be connected with the community. So this is primarily designed for locals and tourists are most welcome."
Although the vision in itself was straightforward, the realisation of the master plan would take years to complete.
Already visible to visitors to the area was the BCCK, the marina and the upcoming Sarawak Energy Bhd headquarters which would be completed by the end of this year.
"With all systems in place, what remains to be seen is the materialisation of the mammoth project into a reality which would of course take a while. Property developments have a long gestation period, that's the bottomline," he rationalised.
Boleh aku katakan ni spesis moyang ikan keli ni dan aku rasa terbesar didunia. Korang tengok saiz je dah tau macam ikan paus jer. Gila la ni makan sebulan satu family pun tak abis tapi ada ke orang yang sanggup makan? aku tengok pun dah geli. Apa agaknya benda dia makan sampai jadi besar camtu. Boleh plak hidup dalam sungai yang etrcemar kat Malaysia ni. Hurm.. Layan je la gambar-gambar di bawah.
Tahniah Kepada Kumpulan Gong Tok Desa Kerana Telah terpilih mewakili bahagian Miri ke pertandingan Tarian ASAT Peringkat Negeri Sarawak 2011
Tempat : Kota Semarahan Tarikh : 13 – 15.10.2011
Syarat Pertandingan Tarian Tradisional 2011
MATLAMATMemberi pendidikan asas seni tari kepada pelajar peringkat sekolah menengah serta meningkatkan ilmu pengetahuan tentang nilai-nilai kesenian bangsa sebagai teras pembentukan masyarakat berbudaya.
2OBJEKTIF2.1 Menggalak serta menarik minat pelajar mengenali dan mempelajari asas-asas seni tari. 2.2 Mendedahkan pelajar kepada satu kaedah pembelajaran tari zapin, inang, joget, asli yang sistematik. 2.3 Menggalakkan pelajar bergerak aktif sebagai usaha menyemarakkan seni budaya. 2.4 Mewujudkan sebuah kumpulan tarian di kalangan pelajar asrama sekolah. 2.5 Mempersembahkan keindahan gerak tari ke arah mencintai seni bangsa yang perlu dinikmati oleh setiap generasi agar ia tidak luput di telan zaman. 2.6 Sebagai altenatif mengisi masa lapang pelajar.
3.KONSEP PERTANDINGAN3.1 Pertandingan Rampaian Tarian Tradisional. 3.2 Rampaian TIGA tarian tradisional (Zapin, Joget, Inang, Asli) dan BUKAN gerak tari kontemporari / kreasi baru 3.3 Satu persembahan rampaian tarian yang berterusan dan tidak dipersembahkan dalam tiga masa yang berbeda.
4.LAGU / MUZIK IRINGAN 4.1 Lagu atau muzik iringan semasa persembahan boleh terdiri daripada lagu-lagu lama atau baru tetapi mestilah terdiri daripada lagu-lagu yang mengekalkan rentak asal tarian yang ditarikan. 4.2 Lagu / Muzik iringan adalah secara permainan CD, bukan 'live music'
5.PENYERTAAN 5.1 Pertandingan ini terbuka kepada pelajar-pelajar sekolah asrama harian (Sekolah Menengah) SMK Tingkatan 4 kebawah dan SK Tahun 5 ke bawah 5.2 Setiap negeri hanya layak menghantar satu pasukan yang terdiri dari 8 (minimum) hingga 15 peserta (maximum) 5.3 Setiap pasukan akan diiringi oleh seorang pengurus dan seorang jurulatih.
6.PERSEMBAHAN 6.1 Setiap kumpulan hanya mempersembahkan SEBUAH tarian rampaian. 6.2 Pakaian peserta mestilah bersesuaian dengan pilihan tarian dan tidak menjolok mata. 6.3 Persembahan tarian wajib melibatkan semua peserta dalam pasukan tetapi tidak semestinya melibatkan semua jenis tarian. 6.4 Ketua Hakim akan menentukan samada kumpulan dibenarkan membuat persembahan ulangan jika berlaku kerosakan teknikal pada CD / Pemain CD
7.MASA 7.1 Persembahan Rampaian Tarian Tradisional tidak boleh kurang daripada 6 minit dan tidak melebihi 10 minit.
8.CD LAGU 8.1 Setiap pasukan mesti serah CD Lagu (sila labelkan negeri pada CD tersebut) kepada pengelola dua minggu sebelum pertandingan
9.PEMARKAHAN 9.1 Koreografi atau keaslian tari – 35 markah 9.2 Kesantunan & adab Pentas – 20 markah 9.3 Busana dan tatarias – 20 markah 9.4 Pecahan tari dan pola lantai – 15 markah 9.5 Koordinasi gerakan dan muzik – 10 markah
10.PEMENANG 10.1 Tempat Pertama SK/SM 10.2 Tempat Kedua SK/SM 10.3 Tempat Ketiga SK/SM
Bahagian sekolah Jabatan sekolah Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia
Seorang nelayan dikhuatiri maut dibaham buaya sepanjang empat meter ketika memungut hasil tangkapan di Sungai Seblak, Kampung Melayu Roban dekat sini awal pagi ini.
Sulaiman Abdullah, 68, dipercayai dibaham reptilia itu ketika memungut hasil tangkapan bersama seorang anak dan cucunya kira-kira pukul 4.30 pagi.
Ketua Polis Daerah, Deputi Supritendan Lee Thai Lein berkata, pihaknya menerima laporan mengenai kejadian tersebut pada pukul 5 pagi ini daripada penduduk kampung.
Menurutnya, berikutan itu, polis melancarkan operasi mencari mangsa bermula pukul 9 pagi ini bersama Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, Jabatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (JPAM), Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia (Rela) dan penduduk kampung.
"Ketika mencari, seorang sepupu mangsa dikatakan ternampak kelibat reptilia itu bersama mayat mangsa yang berada dalam mulutnya, kira-kira pukul 9.30 pagi ini.
"Susulan itu, polis mengarahkan operasi mencari mayat mangsa dihentikan seketika kerana khuatir buaya tersebut akan mengganas," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, hari ini.
Dalam pada itu, Thai Lein memberitahu, pihaknya menghadapi sedikit kesukaran dalam operasi mencari mayat mangsa ekoran air sungai yang kadang kala surut serta cetek.
Bagaimanapun, katanya, pihaknya akan meneruskan operasi berkenaan sehingga menemui mayat tersebut.
"Memang tidak dinafikan terdapat reptilia berkenaan di sungai ini, malah saya sendiri pernah ternampak empat hingga lima ekor buaya ketika mengetuai operasi membunuh haiwan itu beberapa bulan lalu.
"Ini merupakan kejadian kedua selepas kejadian pertama serangan buaya berlaku di Sungai Empelam di Saratok pada Julai lalu," katanya.
SRI AMAN: Berindik ari menua Malaysia tu ti pegari likun, nya ke ngasuh iya suah digusung temuai ari menua tasik sereta nyadi palan dagang temuai ti dikerindu.
Menteri Muda Pemansang Menua Pesisir Sarawak Datuk Francis Harden Hollis madah, Malaysia mega bisi nama ba pekara adat enggau main asal sereta kaul ke tegap seruran dikemeranka rayat ari genap pupu raban bansa ke diau di menua tu.
"Ketegal ari penelap ati sereta penemu bebatak asur ke dikemerat genap raban bansa di menua tu, nya ke ngasuh menua tu nyelai lalu likun.
"Genap iku temuai ari menua tasik datai kitu, udah tentu sida mai pulai cherita pengaga enggau penelap rayat ditu ngagai menua sida," ku iya.
Iya ke mega Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah bejaku munyi nya lebuh bejadika Pengerami Makai Malam 1Nada Sepakat Komuniti 1Malaysia enggau Jasamu Dikenang ke diatur Opis Pemadah Malaysia Pelilih Sri Aman enggau Pelilih Mit Lubok Antu ba Stadium Mini ngimbai Sri Aman malam ensana.
"Perintah endang ngarapka kaul entara raban bansa di menua tu majak manah sereta dikemerat belama.
"Enggau penumbuh Kominiti 1Malaysia ke mungkur pupu raban bansa seruran bepegai ba penegap kaul sereta kerejasama entara rayat diintu belama," ku iya.
Berebak enggau nya ku iya, genap raban Komuniti 1Malaysia patut ngemeranka penau sereta peneleba baik nya ba pekara politik, ekonomi sereta nerenak pemanah ulah ke senyata dikena ngerembaika penemu ngagai raban ke ngelingi sida.
"Kitai pechaya, penumbuh Komuniti 1Malaysia tu ulih nyadika kah penegap kaul rayat ari genap pupu raban bansa ngambika ulih nyapai juluk deka nempa menua tu nyadi sebengkah menua ke mujur sereta likun," ku iya.
Bela bisi ngulu pengawa nya, Pemesai Opis Pelilih Mit Sri Aman Ismawi Salleh, Pemesai Opis Pemadah Pelilih Sri Aman, Saini Bojeng, Pemesai Opis Pemadah Pelilih Mit Sri Aman, Fachrio Ferdiansyah Abdillah, ketuai opis perintah sereta raban Komuniti 1Malaysia.
Nyerumba nya mega, pengawa nya mega diumba Pekit Sukaneka Piala Pusingan Komuniti 1Malaysia enggau Pekit Futsal Piala Pusingan Komuniti 1Malaysia, Opis Pemadah Malaysia Pelilih Sri Aman.
Bisi sepuluh buah Komuniti 1Malaysia ngambi bagi ba kededua progrem nya ke alai enam buah Komuniti 1Malaysia ari Pelilih Mit Sri Aman lalu empat ke bukai ari Pelilih Mit Lubok Antu.
Dulu ari nya, kededua pekit nya diatur ba Stadium Kompleks Sukan Pelilih Sri Aman adapka pagi ensana lalu pengawa nyuaka perais diatur ba Mini Stadium.