KOTA SAMARAHAN: Federal allocations remain crucial to ensuring Sarawak’s rural development efforts continue to expand and benefit more communities across the State.
When asked on her hope for the upcoming federal Budget 2026, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Rubiah Wang, said while the Sarawak Government is going “all out” to improve rural connectivity and infrastructure, federal support plays a vital role in sustaining and scaling up these initiatives.
“Sarawak is fully committed to ensuring that our rural areas are well-connected, especially in terms of infrastructure and education.
“However, we still rely on allocations from the federal level to make sure these efforts continue smoothly and reach more communities,” she said.
Rubiah was speaking to reporters after officiating at the closing of the Sarawak Education Innovation Convention 2025 at The Summer Shopping Mall here today.
She noted that the upcoming budget, set to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next Friday (October 10), will be an important platform to secure the necessary funding for both state and federal initiatives to work hand in hand.
“The combination of state and federal efforts is essential so that we can target more rural areas for larger, integrated development programmes,” she added.
Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament, expressed hope that allocations for Sarawak and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will be increased compared to last year’s budget.
“We are hopeful that this year’s allocation will meet or even exceed our targets. With a bigger budget, the programmes and services we have planned can be implemented more effectively,” she explained.
Among the ministry’s focus areas are rural infrastructure development, including road construction, electricity and water supply projects, as well as community-based programmes aimed at creating a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable rural environment.
“Our ministry’s approach is no longer about infrastructure alone. We want to see rural development that is holistic and inclusive, one that uplifts communities socially and economically,” she stressed.
She also highlighted the need for funding to strengthen entrepreneurship initiatives and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in rural areas.
“We want to build a skilled rural workforce to reduce migration to urban areas.
“That’s why allocations for TVET and entrepreneurship are so important,” she said.
Additionally, Rubiah hopes the federal budget will give due attention to rural women’s development, particularly in leadership and socio-economic participation.
“Programmes for rural women must be enhanced not only to strengthen leadership but also to support economic empowerment. Their role is vital in driving local development,” she noted.
Rubiah reiterated her optimism that the upcoming budget will provide the necessary boost to accelerate rural development in Sarawak through strategic federal-state collaboration.
