BINTULU: Lawas folk who have long resided here are urged to fully capitalise on the rapid development of this city, which has now become one of Sarawak’s key hubs for investment and economic growth.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that the Lawas community who have been earning a living here for years must be bold, step forward, and seize the available opportunities across various strategic sectors.
“Many from Lawas have been here for decades. We migrated to Bintulu not just to work, but to seek a better life and open a new chapter,” he said.
He made these remarks during the Majlis Badudun (Berambeh) held at a hotel here on Wednesday night.
Awang Tengah also likened the spirit of Prophet Muhammad’s Hijrah from Mecca to Medina as a symbol of change and progress that should inspire the Lawas community here.
“In Bintulu, there are vast opportunities in the oil and gas sector, hydrogen production, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, modern agriculture, and downstream industries,” he stated.
He added that Bintulu is rapidly growing as a major investment centre in the state, with large-scale projects actively underway, especially in areas such as Samalaju and Tanjung Batu.
“With strong investment support, this is the best time for natives of Lawas to come forward and participate – not just as workers, but as entrepreneurs and economic drivers,” he said.
As such, he encouraged proactive participation of the community in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and active involvement in the supply chain and infrastructure development.
“Don’t just watch from afar. We must be brave enough to take our place and become key players in the state’s economic development,” he stressed.
He also reminded that Sarawak’s current direction is focused on green and digital economy, and the younger generation from Lawas must not be left behind in this transformation wave.
“I am confident that the folk of Lawas have the capability, spirit and resilience to contribute to the development of Bintulu and Sarawak as a whole.
“Seize this opportunity to build a brighter future,” he concluded.
