The Sarawak government has approved the construction of an international race track or circuit in Gedong, Serian.
According to DayakDaily, the approval was confirmed by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg who also announced that the race track would be able to accomodate some 100,000 spectators.
The circuit, once completed, would likely be the second biggest race track in terms of capacity in Malaysia.
For comparison sake, the Sepang International Circuit can accomodate 170,000 spectators at one time.
DayakDaily also quoted the Premier as saying that the circuit would be built on what is called Gedong Ithmus, with a land spanning 600 acres already identified as the site for the circuit.
It was further explained that such a massive circuit can’t be built in urban areas, and the government had decided that Gedong was suitable to be a hub for international motorsports with the Premier promising that road infrasturcture would be improved to ensure ease to reach the circuit.
He also stated that another circuit would be built in the Northen region of Sarawak in the future, with the government still looking at possible locations.
It is also worth to note that Sarawak Motorsports Association president Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, in a New Sarawak Tribune article dated 29 November 2024, had noted that the land to build the motorsport track in Gedong, would not be in Gedong Ithmus itself, but rather closeby.
Ahmad in the report, also noted that another race track would be built in Sibuti although details on the project are minimal at time of writing.
Where is Gedong Ithmus
Gedong Ithmus is located in Gedong, Simunjan, Serian, just across the Batang Sadong river from Gedong town.
It’s development inspiration is taken from Kuching Ithmus, which is where the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is located.
Borneo Development Corporation (BDC)’s promotional video of Gedong Ithmus shows the area fully developed to be an integrated modern area with hospitals, a waterfront, an administrative centre and more.
Based on an article by DayakDaily, 82 land owners of land which will be used as Gedong Ithmus, had been compensated at a total cost of RM5.2 million.
The Star reported back in 2023 that 126.14ha of land had been approved for the project in 2023.
The same report also stated that a 19KM road would also be built to connect Serian to Gedong, with the government further planning another 74KM road to connect Gedong to Samarahan.
Besides building roads and a race track, Gedong Ithmus will also have roads, schools, affordable housing, a light industrial complex, sports complex, mosque, fuel station, hotel and community centre.
