Kuching: ADUN for Pending, Violet Yong, has questioned whether the proposed redevelopment of the Pending Industrial Estate is another “kantow” development and local businesses are sacrificed so someone close to the corridors of power can make a sudden windfall.
Yong made the remarks while participating in the motion of appreciation on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak’s address during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
She said if the issue is aging infrastructure at the Pending Industrial Estate, then improve the roads, drainage, and utilities.
“Please do not destroy what local businesses have spent decades building. I therefore urge the State Government to immediately abandon any plan to redevelop or relocate the Pending Industrial Estate.
“At the same time, I call on all industrial players in Pending to unite and voice your strongest objection. This is about protecting local enterprise, jobs, and Sarawak’s economic future,” she said.
Violet said this matter has been brought to her attention after the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources, together with the relevant agencies, has lately been working around the clock to push for a plan to redevelop the Pending Industrial Estate and force long-established businesses to relocate.
“I wish to place on record my strongest opposition to this proposed redevelopment plan. This plan must be abandoned. Pending Industrial Estate is not vacant land nor an abandoned area in need of revival.
“It is a well-established functioning industrial hub built over decades by hardworking local Sarawakian businesses, many of them homegrown Chinese SMEs that have invested their sweat, capital, and lifetimes to grow Sarawak’s economy,” she said.
She added that these businesses employ Sarawakians, support local supply chains, and generate tax revenue.
“Today, close to 500 industrial operators stand to be affected by this proposed redevelopment plan.
“Even by conservative estimates, if each business is worth merely RM10 million, the State Government is effectively disturbing an industrial ecosystem worth at least RM5 billion. This is not a small matter,” she said.
She stressed that Sarawak has ample land resources and is not short of space, arguing that there is no need to disturb a productive industrial estate that has operated for decades.
“If new development is needed, there are many other suitable areas. Why uproot functioning businesses and disrupt livelihoods?” she asked.
Yong further stressed that what is most troubling is the lack of transparency.
“Many businesses are hearing rumours that they may be forced to relocate, yet many remain completely in the dark. In fact, some industrial players are still unaware that such a plan appears to be moving quietly and discreetly.
“If relocation is the intention, where is the replacement industrial land with proper infrastructure, utilities, and logistics connectivity? As far as I understand, the Ministry has yet to identify the new location.
“Who will bear the enormous relocation costs, including dismantling machinery, rebuilding factories, and business disruption? Or are these SMEs expected to absorb the losses while others stand to gain quietly?” she asked.
