Bau Search For A New Direction After Gold Mining Days Over
Pictures and Text by: William N.P. Chai

The old Bau-Kuching Road which is notorious for its multiple bends  will become thing of the past with the straightening of the last part of the road  from Siniawan to Bau  town. Construction work for the straightening and upgrding of the road is now underway. When completed by the end of the year or early next year will give motorists a more comfortable ride.

A section of the beautifully landscaped road side at the town


The last section of the  straightening work will see a new road been constructed to by-pass the Bau bazaar to join the Bau-Lundu road near the Krokong junction, thus enable vehicles  from Lundu road and and Krokong road to by-pass the town when going to or from Kuching. This shows a far-sight on the part of the authority to prevent the possibility of traffic congestion in the town centre in future.

Several sections of the road from Batu Kitang  to Bau  has been undergone straightening and upgrading works in stages for the last decade to alleviate flood and to make driving more pleasant and time saving. The straightened road will make the Bau-Kuching road shortened by a few km as compared to the old windy road. Travellers are hoping that the stretch of road from Kampung Bumbok to Bau Kitang, which is under the jurisdiction of the Kuching Division, will be given the same upgrading by the authority concerned.

The new fire station under construction


Within Bau town itself, several  development projects are taking place this year to provide better facilities to the people.

The project include the construction of  a new multi-purpose market,  costing RM2 million, jungle produce market costing RM400,000,  new library costing RM2.57 million and upgrading of Jalan Sebuku costing RM800,000. Construction work for a new  multi-purpose market  is now underway. The  earth-breaking ceremony for the project was performed by Encik Peter Nansien, the State Assemblyman for Tasik Biru (Bau ) constituency on June 28. It is expected to take 12 months to complete.

The proposed double-storey market will have ten pork stalls, eight chicken stalls, two beef stalls and four fruits stalls as well as a public toilet at the ground floor , while the upper floor will have 10 food and drink stalls plus 10 retailing shops.

Photo Showing Artist Impression of  New Market


After the completion of the new market, the pork and chicken stalls at the existing multi-purpose market near the Kampung Melayu will move to the new market, while the existing multi-purpose market will be demolished for a proposed new library that will cost RM2.57 million. In the plan of the new library  are  separate reading areas for adults and children as well as Information Technology section that will be equipped with computers and internet. The library is scheduled to be completed by 2002.

The re-opening of the Tasik Biru recently has attracted many people to the town recently.  It is hoped that after the completion of the second phrase of the project, it will boost the tourism industry that will benefit the business sector in the town, especially those selling food and drinks as well as handicraft and souvenirs shops.

The Tasik Biru is now a favourite place for both the local and visitors. The six units of food and drinks stalls is now a favourite eatery for the people, especially in the evening where they can enjoy their food and drink while admiring the cool breeze, the scenic sunset view by the lake side.  The governemnt has spent RM500,000 to restore the lake after the mining activity in the former Tasik Biru had ceased some two years ago. The project included construction of a lake side canteen, public toilets, car park, footpath, and landscaping.

The Bau District Council has put up a proposal for the second phrase of the Tasik Biru development project. The proposed project that will turn the lake into a  better tourist attraction,  include building a bridge across the lake,  to provide access to the hill on the other side of the lake, where a few chalets will be built at the hill slope. The project, which is expected to cost some RM4.5 million, is still awaiting approval from the state government. Also in the plan are a floating restaurant,  basketball courts, more sun shades children play ground and sports facilities.

Over the last few years Bau district has seen continuous development which includes  rural electrification project, land development and oil palm schemes by the Salcra (RMRM45 million), water supply costing RM9.2 million and another RM36 million for construction and upgrading of primary schools in the district.

Other development projects in the town include the a new police station costing RM20 million, a new fire station costing RM19 million and Rm30 for implementation of low cost housing project.
The new police station nearing completion


A slaughter house costing RM678,000 is now under construction at Siniawan to provide a more hygienic place for the butchers to carry out their slaughting of animals. It is expected to be completed by later part of  this year.

Under the 8 Malaysia Plan, more roads in the district will be upgraded to alleviate flood as well as to be tar-sealed. These includes the Jalan Sebuku, Jalan Selalang-Adis , Jalan Seringgok, Jalan Sibulung, Kampung Suba Buan and Kampung Segong and  Kampung Opar internal road.

The phrase II of the RPR low-cost housing project developed by the Sarawak Housing and Development Commission (SPPS) was launched on June 23.  Located 1.5 km from the town centre, the housing project when completed will consist of 396 units of one and -a-half  storey terrance houses.  The developer also provides a site for a kindergarten,multi-purpose hall as well as a place of  worship.
New houses at a housing estate near the town


More new houses are also been constructed at a nearby housing estate, that will cater for the housing need of the Bau residents, to reduce the townfolks from migrating to Kuching. It is a fact that the lack of housing estate in the district has resulted in many Bau residents especially the younger generation, to moved to Kuching where they could buy houses and find employment in the city.

The Bau District Council is constantly keeping the town clean and beautiful by carrying out landscaping projects and maintenance works at various part of  the town in order to provide the residents here with  a better place to live in and to provide a pleasant sight for the visitors.

While gold mining has come to a stand still over the last few years due to the difficulties in accessing to the gold ores which are scatttered  too deep underground and is uneconomical to mine at present market price,  it is hope that government and the private sector will work together to tap the  tourism potential in the district  to provide another alternative to boost the economy of the district.