SIMANGGANG: A new RM15 million service centre is being proposed for construction in Batu Lintang, Sri Aman, in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen public service delivery and support future development in the area.

The proposal was brought forward during a dialogue session involving government agencies, private-sector representatives, community leaders, and three second-generation shop owners at the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) Meeting Room here today.

The session was chaired by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.

Datuk Francis, who is also the Simanggang Assemblyman, said the new service centre is timely due to the presence of multiple private and company-owned oil palm plantations, schools, and three newly approved border posts in Batu Lintang.

“I want the new Batu Lintang Service Centre to be operational before the construction plans for the three border posts begin and are completed in the future,” he said.

A slide presentation during the dialogue revealed that the proposed project includes 10 double-storey shop lots and a tamu market to be built on a two-acre site.

Sri Aman Division Land and Survey Superintendent Michaelson Nyisin said the development is necessary as Batu Lintang’s current population is estimated to be close to 4,000 residents.

Existing facilities in the area include a clinic, several small churches, immigration and customs offices, three shops, the Wong Pupu waterfall, 32 longhouses, three primary schools, and a police station.

He added that the proposal for the new Batu Lintang Service Centre was first submitted to the government in 2017 before it was approved on 3 December 2024 through the SADA Steering Committee Meeting.

The implementation date for the project will be determined once issues involving the three affected shop owners are resolved. -UKASnews