KUCHING: Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana has welcomed the federal Cabinet’s decision to transfer the Rajang Security Command (RASCOM) site to the Sarawak government, describing it as historic.
The Cabinet has agreed to relinquish the federal government’s rights over 3,655.60 hectares of RASCOM land involving Nanga Tada, Nanga Jagau, Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Sekuau in Sibu Division.
The move is expected to enable the Sarawak government to undertake more strategic development in the affected areas.
“The decision reflected the federal government’s continued commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Sarawak government while upholding the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said in a statement today.
He noted that three of the four Resettlement Scheme (SPS) RASCOM areas involved in the transfer — Nanga Jagau, Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Tada — are located within the Ngemah constituency.
“I am deeply grateful because these areas fall under Ngemah. Throughout every sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, I have consistently raised this matter and urged that the land be handed over to the Sarawak government so that development planning and implementation can be carried out more efficiently, systematically and in accordance with the needs of the people,” he said.
Anyi thanked the Putrajaya for making what he described as a significant decision and also expressed appreciation to the Sarawak government for its continued commitment to safeguarding the state’s rights.
He said the transfer should pave the way for more comprehensive development in the SPS RASCOM areas, with priority given to roads, clean water supply, electricity, telecommunications, education, healthcare, housing, public amenities and economic opportunities.
“The development is not merely about building physical infrastructure, but also about creating better opportunities for future generations to enjoy quality education, employment and a better standard of living without having to leave their hometowns,” he said.
He expressed confidence that close cooperation between Putrajaya and the Sarawak government, implementing agencies and local communities would transform the SPS RASCOM areas into more developed, inclusive and competitive regions.
