Sandakan Harbour project kicks off

Work on the RM240mil Sandakan Harbour Square project formally started yesterday, less than two years after it was first proposed. 

An official ceremony at a jetty near the existing central market at the waterfront signalled the start of demolition, site clearance, site reclamation and construction of seawalls. 

The symbolic act of drilling away the concrete jetty to make way for the project was performed by the MP for Sandakan, Datuk Lau Ngan Siew. 

It was witnessed by Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) president Datuk Adeline Leong, and deputy president (II) Datuk Thomas Lau. 

Land reclamation works and settlement will take 18 months to complete. Leong said the Sandakan Harbour Square project would be carried out in four phases. 

Phase 1 will include reclaiming nine acres of land from the sea to add to the existing three acres, and the building of a new jetty and new and modern central market to replace the existing old market built more than 50 years ago. There will also be a three-storey circular sea-level annex for a seafood restaurant. 

The 61 shop-offices will comprise 29 three-storey units and 32 four-storey units with varying floor sizes. The shop offices in this phase are scheduled for completion in the second quarter 2006. 

Leong said Phase 2 would start when traders were relocated to the new market and the old market would then be demolished to make way for the building of the Phase 2 shophouses and Phase 3 retail/carpark complex. 

Phase 3 will commence concurrently or shortly after certain parts of Phase 1; this will include the retail/carpark complex, the Sandakan Harbour Mall. 

Phase 4 has yet to be finalised but will include a five-star hotel. 

The project is being undertaken by the Sandakan Municipal Council, as the landowner, in a joint venture with the developer, Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd. 

KLSE-listed Ireka Corp Bhd holds 60% equity in the joint-venture company, while Sabah-based construction and development firm Syarikat Charng Sheng Sdn Bhd holds the balance 40%. 

The council will own and operate the new central market and fish jetty and the new town Harbour Square and other public areas. 

Ireka-Charng Sheng Development joint managing director Lai Voon Hon said the project had helped the Ireka Group to gain a significant foothold in east Malaysia. 

It is already undertaking a housing project in Kota Kinabalu. – Bernama