MIRI: Miri is fast becoming the ideal urban centre in Sarawak, and if it continues along its path of balanced development, should overtake Kuching in every aspect in the near future.

"The way Miri city is developing, I think it will soon be the new capital of Sarawak!" quipped state Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (pic) at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Miri Central Park project, here, on Sunday.

Miri created history by being the first non-capital city in the country to be accorded city status on May 20, 2005.

On the park project, Adenan welcomed the private and state government initiatives that would transform Miri to be more vibrant than before.

Dubbed as the first authentic seafront development in the state, the Miri Central Park covered a total of 15.7 acres or 6.28 hectares of land, and was expected to be ready in early 2016.

The project is jointly implemented by Pantai Bayu Indah, a member of the Samling group and Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), a state-owned statutory body.

Samling Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Yaw Chee Ming, who also spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony, said the Miri Central Park concept would be an urban park that would be the venue for cultural, festival and entertainment programmes throughout the year.

He said among the main features of the park area was a 500-yard seafront boardwalk, an amphitheater and a large playground for picnics and water activities.

"I'm pleased to announce that we shall be investing RM40mil for the development of this park," he added. - Bernama