RURAL communities will benefit from ongoing infrastructure development involving major bridges and strategic road networks aimed at boosting connectivity and economic activities statewide.
Construction of projects such as the Coastal Road, Sabah-Sarawak Link Road and roads connecting Brunei, together with the expansion of rural road networks throughout Sarawak, would improve connectivity, shorten travel time and open up economic opportunities for the people, particularly those in rural areas.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said business facilities such as rest and relaxation (R&R) stops and commercial sites should also be developed along these routes, while entrepreneurship training and financial assistance should be provided to those interested in venturing into business.
“Rural entrepreneurship, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the digital economy must continue to be strengthened to help raise the income of rural communities.
“In this regard, the government should continue assist the marketing of village products and agricultural produce through the establishment of collection, distribution and processing centres, as well as strategic business spaces to widen the production and sales network for local products,” he said this in his opening speech at the First Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Wan Junaidi said Sarawak’s abundant natural resources, scenic landscapes and tourism potential should also be further developed through agro-tourism and eco-tourism initiatives based on culture and natural heritage that remain largely untapped.
Promotional programmes at both national and international levels, as well as the expansion of homestays and training for local tourism operators and guides, could become new sources of income while benefiting rural communities as a whole, he said.
He also called for the modernisation of the agricultural sector through greater use of automation, modern machinery, smart farming technology, fertigation systems, agricultural drones and farm automation to improve productivity and competitiveness.
The development of collection and marketing centres are equally important to ensure agricultural produce could be marketed more efficiently and reach wider markets.
“At the same time, Sarawak’s diverse ethnic heritage, culture, languages and traditions must continue to be preserved and documented so that the identity and uniqueness of each community are not lost amid rapid modernisation and development.
“The state’s cultural uniqueness remained one of Sarawak’s greatest strengths and could continue to be promoted as a distinctive and high-value tourism attraction,” he added,
Wan Junaidi also urged the government to continue addressing the rising cost of living in rural areas to reduce the disparity between urban and rural communities caused by logistical and geographical challenges.
He said access to quality and affordable internet and communication services must continue to be expanded to ensure rural communities are not left behind in education, knowledge acquisition and participation in the digital economy.
