LIMBANG: The implementation of various local projects costing a total of RM735 million will take place soon.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was given briefings on the projects upon his arrival here yesterday.
The projects include upgrading of Limbang Waterfront (Phase 1) for RM30 million and (Phase 2) also for RM30 million, Pedestrian Overhead Bridge the intersection of Jalan Buangsiol (RM4.4 mil); Sungai Limbang Bridge, Sungai Bunut Bridge No.2 and road (RM205 mil); Administration Museum (RM10 mil); upgrading of Tedungan Pandaruan Road (RM19 mil); Jalan Ulu Tubai (RM130 mil); upgrading of Berawan Water Treatment Plant (RM34.5 mil); Rangau low-cost housing (RM42 mil); Integrated Administration Centre at Rangau (RM200 mil); and a new Rangau-Kuala Limbang road (RM27.8 mil).
Abang Johari also hinted on the tapping of new resources in the district which would contribute to the development of the state.
However, he chose to keep the matter secret for the time being and will only announce it in the near future.
“The resources will be a stepping stone for the state’s economy. I strongly believe that we should manage the resources by ourselves,” he said at a luncheon at Purnama Hotel, yesterday.
Also present at the luncheon were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Agriculture Assistant Minister Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Acting State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion; Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah; and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang.
Abang Johari said, in the meantime, the state government has allocated RM1.5 billion to the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) to develop Limbang and Lawas which have great potential.
The state government has collected an additional RM3 billion this year to be used for development including the construction of Limbang Waterfront from Phase 1 to Phase 2 which will be extended to Bukit Mas.
“The Limbang Waterfront will be the longest waterfront in the state covering 1.4km,” he said.
“Hopefully in the next five years, Limbang and Lawas would be more developed and able to generate more revenue for the state,” he said.
Abang Johari also disclosed that in a meeting with Council of Eminent Persons chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin last Friday (Aug 2), the latter has described the state’s development as well-structured.
“It really means something to us when the prime minister’s advisor made that comment on how we manage our economic development,” he said.
The transformation towards digital economy and the unprecedented focus on digital and infrastructure development throughout the state had been well-thought out by the Sarawak government for implementation within these two years as part of a well-planned programme to turn Sarawak into a digital high-income economy by 2030.
“The state government will focus on taking care of our state so that the people will live in harmony and according to the current trend to stay relevant. If the world is going digital, we will do the same. If agriculture is using fertigation, we will do it,” he continued.
The luncheon also witnessed the local people presenting a birthday cake to Abang Johari on the occasion of his 69th birthday that fell last Sunday (Aug 4).
He was born here in 1950 while his late father Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the first local governor of Sarawak, was serving as a native officer under the British colonial government.
