LAWAS: The Limbang-Lawas Local Plan is set to drive economic growth, infrastructure development and stronger cross-border cooperation with Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan as Sarawak accelerates the development of its northern region.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the plan would complement the state’s broader development agenda, with PETROS now licensed to undertake oil and gas activities in Limbang and Lawas, creating new opportunities for investment and regional growth.
He said Lawas holds significant potential as a nature and culture based tourism hub, with its highlands, beaches, waterfalls and rich cultural heritage serving as key attractions to stimulate the local economy.
He said the northern region’s development forms part of Sarawak’s broader Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which seeks to balance economic progress with the preservation of the state’s cultural heritage, identity and social harmony.
“Culture and customs are our identity. Sarawak is like a colourful garden made up of people of different races and religions living together in peace, harmony and mutual respect. This is our strength, and it must continue to be preserved,” he said this when officiating at the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang celebration at Arena Lawas recently.
Awang Tengah said Sarawak’s economy is being driven by high-value sectors such as the digital economy, renewable energy, hydrogen, semiconductors, aerospace, modern agriculture and tourism, while maintaining its commitment to environmental conservation and cultural diversity.
He added that the government is also strengthening its social development agenda through initiatives such as the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) and full scholarships for students pursuing studies at Sarawak government-owned higher education institutions as a strategic investment in human capital development.
On the Irau Aco Lun Bawang celebration, Awang Tengah said the festival serves not only to preserve and promote the Lun Bawang community’s cultural heritage but also as a platform to strengthen unity and safeguard Sarawak’s diverse cultural identity as part of the state’s overall development agenda.
