IS IT RATIONAL FOR SARAWAK AUTHORITY TO SPEND THE ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR BEAUTIFYING AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN LIMBANG?
INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND
Most developing countries aim to increase economic development. It encompasses all sectors in the economy, especially in improving the social economy aspects of a country. Developed countries that have good economic development share a lot of similarities such as good infrastructure, efficient transport network, excellent logistic and much more. Railway networks, blue link and air transport are widely utilised. However, the same cannot be said for developing countries or places.
Limbang is a border town located in the northern Sarawak, it is situated in between the two halves of Brunei, on the banks of the Limbang River. With Limbang unique geographical segmentation, the development gaps in between the Brunei city and Limbang town is very distinct. If this situation left unchecked, Limbang town could suffer greatly from the declining effect and affects its city’s image (Oktay, 2009; Hoskara & Doratli, 2007).
(Photo 1.0 show the position of the Brunei’s mega bridge by passing Limbang)
Back in mid-2014, Brunei wishes to further increase its economic development by constructing a mega bridge which connect the other halve of Brunei without need to passing by Limbang town. Limbang has been benefits from the transit customers and tourists who by-pass Limbang town since the early 90s. With the completion of the Brunei’s mega bridge in this coming June, will eventually put Limbang’s future in uncertainty.
In response to the rapid development from neighbouring countrty, the authority of Sarawak started redevelopment, and beautify projects. Currently, there are total 11 projects on-going in Limbang that worth a total RM735 million; such as the waterfront redevelopment of Limbang, construction of pedestrian bridge, renovation of both Limbang market place and museum and cable stayed bridge of Limbang hopes to revitalize its already declining economy and act as a counterbalance to the mega bridge of Brunei.
SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS
Impetus for Economic Growth
It is a relieve that Limbang authority had started to make a move in respond to the near completion of Brunei’s bridge. The beautifying and redevelopment projects that currently on going in Limbang can be an Impetus for economic growth and development in the face of Brunei’s mega bridge.
(Photo 2.0 show the render image of new Limbang Waterfront)
Projects such as redevelopment of waterfront will make a name for Limbang such as the town with the longest waterfront in Sarawak with a total length of 1.6km and is expected to be fully completed by 2021. “This Limbang Waterfront would be the main development icon for the people here” said by assistant Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail. This waterfront redevelopment project would be the connector for Taman Tasik Bukit Mas and Limbang Town Square with recreational facilities and parking lots would be provided under the project. This project would be another tourism attraction for Limbang town once it is completed and benefit the local businesses in Limbang.
Foster Quality of Life
In economic development, the concept of “quality of life” consists of a complex mix of measures from jobs and education to healthcare and housing and also arts, culture and infrastructure. In order to strengthen a strong economy with a positive quality of life, all these pieces must be in place. According to Levin and Adlercreutz’s (2000), it shows that how architecture can provide for better healthy spaces and enhance the quality of life of the community living there. These ongoing redevelopment projects in Limbang proved to be a valuable approach to improve the local community living spaces and quality of life.
(Photo 3.0 show the proposed site of the Sungai Limbang Bridge)
The construction of the first cable-stayed bridge in Sarawak is currently on going in Limbang town could be the catalyst of greater economic and physical development in Limbang. The purpose of having this bridge is to ease the traffic flow of Limbang and Brunei traveller, as congestion keeps on occurring at the immigration post. This bridge not only will provide a speedy connectivity between Limbang and Brunei but also to boost its tourism industry. Due to the fact that, there are still quite a number of Bruneians come to visit Limbang just for its fresh vegetables and fruits and Limbang still possess vast areas of land suitable for cultivation of various vegetables and fruits which could possibly become a future provider for Brunei and other cities since the connectivity is now better.
Redevelopment Improves the Environment in many aspects
The benefits of redevelopment are obvious. The mere act of assessing and redeveloping a site could transform the declining place within the community into a more effective place of industry. From a sustainability perspective, a healthier built environment leads to higher productivity, delivering the economic benefits that most countries seek. In addition, economic benefits go hand in hand with successful land use and that kind of land use is achievable via redevelopment of existing site. A redeveloped site increases the likelihood that the site will be a usable space for many years to come. Moreover, redevelopment on a brownfield site can tap into existing infrastructures, more environmental friendly and more efficiency than traveling to develop in a greenfield site where entirely new utilities, roads and infrastructures must be built first.
Allowing for Smarter Growth Through Urban Intensification
Urban intensification is seen in land use planning as a way of delivering sustainable development. It optimises the use of previously developed land, reduces travel demand and revitalises and repopulates town. Will proper planning, the redevelopment could transform the previously declining site into a space for gathering and place of opportunities for Limbang people. It could possibly attract more investors to come to Limbang thus increase the demand of Limbang and with that job growth comes next.
OPPOSING ARGUMENTS
The Result Might Not What Is Anticipated
The cost required for the beautifying and redevelopment projects can be complicated and can even costs an arm and leg just to resuscitate. The total cost for Limbang waterfront redevelopment of phase 1 and 2 is about RM 60 million. However, by just beautifying, provide recreational area, and 400 carparks (source from borneo post) isn’t going to benefit very much in terms of economic factors for Limbang. It is still function almost identical to the old waterfront with only an upgrade appearance. The cable stayed bridge of Limbang that mentioned previously cost about RM187 million to construct, it is said by the authority that it will become a new landmark and attract Bruneian to come and visit Limbang more. But will it really work out what they anticipated? Sometimes, by just providing is not sufficient enough to solve the real problems behind it.
Redevelopment Projects Tend to Be Palliative Rather Than Curative
By just upgrading, renovate, redevelopment isn’t going to do much help in reversing the decline issue of Limbang. From the looks of it, it seems that the local authority is focusing too much on the tangible aspect rather on the intangible aspect. The waterfront of Limbang has already underwent a redevelopment back in 2004 and it does almost nothing to its community. Adding to that, it is mentioned in Borneo post online (Mahadi, 2019) that the Limbang waterfront redevelopment project would providing many recreational facilities with more than 400 parking lots under the project. It seems that the authority prioritised vehicular accessibility rather than pedestrian friendly by providing massive numbers of car parks at the waterfront area, which is not an effective approach in a successful waterfront revitalization. The authority should start look into the intangible aspect of Limbang such as the culture, heritage and lifestyle of Limbang people.
Does Limbang really need it
(Photo 4.0 show the shop owner facing time difficulty)
The above photo shows the shop owner at the newly renovated market facing difficulty in which the customers are getting less by day. It shows that the renovation and upgrading work for the market didn’t work out quite well for the shop owner. What went wrong? From the shop owner’s interview, he said that the food court was located at the first floor before the renovation but after the renovation the food court has been relocated to ground level while the shop owners that sells dried products are being ask to relocated to upper floor. Because of the post-renovation planning, it has caused the economic of the shop owners to decline dramatically. As a result, the funds that are being used to renovate this market has been misused while end result is making the situation even worse.
Having The Wrong Priorities
Some of the redevelopment project doesn’t look promising and effective in solving the economic decline of Limbang. Project such as renovation of the Limbang museum which cost about RM10 mllion, propose overhead pedestrian bridge that cost RM30 million and renovation of the existing market that cost RM 5 million (source from Borneo post). Out of the 11 projects that mentioned previously, these 3 projects don’t seem to focus on the real issue. From my point of views, the renovation of existing museum isn’t going to benefit much in revitalize Limbang’s economy, what the museum need is a new element or multiple functions and programs to help it to sustain, not just a stand-alone museum gallery.
(Photo 5.0 show the render image of the overhead pedestrian bridge)
The overhead pedestrian bridge definitely not effective in dealing with the economic decline of Limbang, even the locals question themselves whether is pedestrian bridge really necessary?
DELIBERATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Overall, it may be said that it’s good that the authority proposed these redevelopment projects in Limbang in hope to revitalize its declining economy. The redevelopment projects must be able to address the main issue behind the economic decline of Limbang. Focus more on what matter, like what the community really needs not wants. Some redevelopment project shouldn’t go directly into it, but by phases. For example, the renovation of museum and the propose overhead pedestrian bridge would be better to come after the completion of infrastructure works.
Therefore, it is better to have study the situation, understand the issue and the rational behind it first before making any hasty decision or commerce any development projects that cost million. We must able to seek out the balance between tangible and intangible aspect, because if we don’t, the result may not come out what we anticipated.
Economic growth is necessary for not only in Limbang but all places because people generally want to have a better standard of living and quality of life. We must, however, be aware that after all, economic growth is a means to an end and not an end in itself; it is a means to build a better home and provide a better quality of life for all our people
REFERENCE
Boschi, N., & Pagliughi, L. (2002). QUALITY OF LIFE: MEDITATIONS ON PEOPLE AND ARCHITECTURE.
https://suarasarawak.my/2019/08/06/11-projek-bernilai-rm735-juta-sedang-dilaksana-di-limbang/
https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/12/03/limbang-waterfront-project-to-be-completed-by-2021/
https://sarawakvoice.com/2019/04/22/rm600-juta-telah-diperuntukkan-untuk-projek-nrda-limbang/
https://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/04/proposed-limbang-bridge-will-open-up-more-devt-areas/
https://dayakdaily.com/work-begins-on-sarawaks-first-international-link-bridge/
https://www.utusanborneo.com.my/2020/01/05/peniaga-makanan-kuih-kering-di-tamu-limbang-terjejas