KUNAK: The former site of a wooden shoplot destroyed by fire in June 2014 will be backfilled and converted into a parking area to help ease traffic congestion along Jalan Pangkalan.
Kunak District Council (MDKNK) Executive Officer Mohd Nazri Pintal said the backfilling was necessary as Jalan Pangkalan is the main access route to the Fish Market and Chicken Market near the Fish Landing Jetty, which regularly attract large crowds and traders.
He said the new parking area would provide a more organised space for vehicles while reducing roadside parking that often disrupts traffic flow.
“After several meetings and discussions, backfilling work on the site will be carried out to provide parking space for local use. The land is also owned by the Local Authority.
“The proposed work at present is specifically for the purpose of providing a parking area and not for commercial development,” he told the Daily Express after inspecting the site with Kunak Assemblyman Dato’ Sri Anil Sandhu, District Officer Majaran Osman, consultants and several District Council members on Friday.
Nazri said the backfilling work would be carried out according to specifications and the land area identified by the District Office in consultation with the relevant consultants.
“Approval for the backfilling work has been obtained, while the supervision and work specifications are provided by the District Office in collaboration with the relevant consultants,” he said.
He said there were currently no plans for commercial development at the site, as planning for such development had not reached that stage.
“Instead, the backfilling work aims to provide a larger and more organised parking area for community use, including residents of Kampung Pangkalan and other road users,” he said.
Nazri said any future proposal for commercial development would be brought before the Council members for discussion, including the possibility of a joint venture.
He added that any subsequent development would take into consideration the suitability of the site, overall development plans and the needs of the local community.
Meanwhile, Anil welcomed the Local Authority’s efforts to backfill the area.
He said improvements along Jalan Pangkalan should also be viewed as part of longer-term plans to improve the coastal surroundings.
Anil said the area had the potential to be developed into an esplanade in the future, subject to proper planning, approvals and assessments by the relevant agencies.
“For now, the focus is on the backfilling work and providing a more systematic parking area. Future developments, including the esplanade proposal, can be discussed and planned with the relevant parties.
“What matters most is that any development benefits the people, improves their wellbeing and creates further economic opportunities for local residents,” he said.
