LAWAS: The progress in Sarawak necessitates a strong partnership and collaboration between the state government and private sectors.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak has set up the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) which prioritises basic infrastructure like roads, water and electricity supply, internet connectivity – these developments are crucial prerequisites for attracting private sector investments in a particular area.
“People (private sectors) will not come (to invest) if all the basic infrastructures are not upgraded to meet certain required standards.
“Hence, that is why the state government is putting in place all the basic infrastructure which is also the responsibility of the government, and only then the private sector will come in later,” he said.
He was officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony of Lepapa Hypermarket and Roxy Hotel project at Jalan Merapok here today (May 28).
Abang Johari said the ongoing development of basic infrastructures has led Tecktonic and Sons Holdings Sdn Bhd into taking the initiative in constructing commercial buildings in Lawas.
“Just like Ah Teck (Tecktonic and Sons Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Lee Chin Teck), he has conducted a thorough cost-benefit analysis and is daring by investing significant capital in Lawas and he believes Limbang and Lawas have a bright future, and this belief stems from the state government’s efforts in developing basic infrastructure,” he said.
Abang Johari said other development projects in Lawas include the connection of electricity supply to the main State Grid, construction of the Bandar Lawas Bridge, Northern Coastal Highway Road, and Lawas Airport.
Earlier, Lee said his company would undertake the largest project on a private land in Lawas and it will see the construction of 26 units of three-storey shophouses, a hypermarket, a four-storey hotel, and two blocks of six-storey apartments.
