MIRI: The Sarawak Government has intensified its commitment to regional development with the allocation of RM4.5 billion to various regional development agencies (RDAs), aimed at delivering infrastructure projects that promise to transform the economic landscape of the state’s hinterland.
Speaking at the Bakti MADANI Programme Miri 2025 Sarawak Maju Makmur event on today, Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in a speech read on his behalf by Utility and Telecommunication Minister, Datuk Sri Julaihi Narawi, underlined the state’s unwavering drive to link isolated communities with the rest of the state.
“We must connect these interior areas through a good road network,” said Abang Johari.
“This will allow us to unlock the economic potential of these areas and provide better mobility access for the people.”
To date, 247 infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and essential utilities, are being actively implemented across Sarawak, many of them in rural and remote regions.
Among the major undertakings is the 142-kilometre Miri-Marudi-Mulu-Long Panai-Long Lama road project, set to enhance connectivity between Miri and interior settlements in Baram.
Once completed, the route will provide easier access to Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boosting tourism while supporting local communities.
Earlier this year, the RM116.5-million Marudi Bridge was officially opened, eliminating the need for ferry crossings between Miri and Marudi.
The Premier hailed the bridge as a milestone that would “ease travel for the people and stimulate regional trade”.
Planning is also underway for a 133-kilometre road connecting Long Banga to Bario and Ba’Kelalan, envisioned to spur tourism, agricultural activity, and cross-border trade with neighbouring Kalimantan, Indonesia.
In northern Sarawak, two landmark projects are set to reshape the transport and economic infrastructure.
The 87.5-kilometre Northern Corridor Highway will break ground in the second quarter of this year, while the long-awaited new Lawas Airport is scheduled to begin construction in the fourth quarter.
Both projects fall under the purview of the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA).
Meanwhile, in central Sarawak, under the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), a 73-kilometre access road to the Baleh Hydroelectric Dam is under construction.
The road will significantly improve access for communities in the Kapit Division, particularly for residents in Nanga Mujong travelling to Kapit town.
These infrastructure initiatives are integral to the broader Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), a long-term strategy aimed at balancing development between urban and rural areas.
The projects also align with the state’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
“The successful execution of these projects will be a game-changer for our rural communities,” said the Premier.
“SCORE remains a catalyst for regional growth, and with proper planning and execution, we can ensure equitable development across Sarawak.”
The recent UNESCO recognition of the Niah National Park Cave Complex as a World Heritage Site further highlights the importance of improving infrastructure to support eco-tourism and heritage preservation in northern Sarawak.
Also present at the event was Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ismawi Ismuni, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to realising Sarawak’s infrastructure ambitions.
As Sarawak pushes ahead with its development agenda, the government’s focus remains clear: building roads not just to connect places, but to connect people, opportunity and prosperity.
