KUCHING: A Coastal Development Agency will boost the potential of Sarawak’s coastal areas.
Although it is not something new, the desire to create such an agency has always been voiced by elected people’s representatives in coastal areas.
In 2015, among those who voiced this at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting were Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo and several colleagues.
At that time, the justification for the establishment of the agency was to ensure the smooth administration and development in coastal areas.
The agency could coordinate and plan all forms of development in coastal areas throughout Sarawak.
It is seen in line with the Batang Lupar Bridge project which launching has been slated on Tuesday (March 23), considered the centre piece of development in coastal areas.
The development of coastal areas should be given more attention by the government so that residents continue to enjoy the benefits of the infrastructure such as bridges, coastal roads, Second Trunk Road and so on.
Coastal towns such as Sematan, Pusa, Beladin, Kabong, Saribas, Belawai, Semop, Daro to Limbang have become the heart of socioeconomy.
Why wouldn’t they be when most of the natural resources such as oil and gas, plantation products such as oil palm and marine fisheries products all come from coastal areas.
Last year at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Special Convention in Betong, the proposal was once again raised for consideration. It was submitted to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Assistant Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi opines that Sarawak should follow in the footsteps of other countries that have Coastal Development Zones or Coastal Management Zones.
In other countries, coastal areas are expensive estates, but the opposite is happening in ours where property has not yet been optimally developed.
Therefore, through this agency, the government can look at how to boost the existing potential, to make coastal areas have commercial value in the future.
However, it needs to be refined in terms of planning for the future.
In the meantime, this author is convinced that some may question — why coastal areas? The simplest answer is — look at history!
Some governments and ancient civilisations such as the Nile, Mesopotamia, the Indus, the Malay kingdom of Srivijaya and Malacca were formed in coastal areas.
This is due to its position as a trade route and economic resource of the local community in ancient times who considers the sea as the most strategic location to go about daily life.
Did you know that almost half of the world’s population live, work and conduct trade activities in coastal areas?
According to Karen P. Fabbri (1998), the management of coastal areas and natural resources is very important for the economic and social development of a country surrounded by the sea.
The importance of coastal areas has been well known since the time of human development as mentioned above.
This situation stems from the development of ancient cities located in coastal and estuarine locations, especially in the European and Asian regions.
However, it should be remembered also that without proper management, this can cause problems in economic development (John R. Clara, 1997).
So, it is not surprising that there is a proposal that wants Abang Johari himself to lead the Coastal Development Agency if it is approved.
As stated by Nanthakumar Loganathan and Syahrin Said, integrated coastal zone management involves coordination, strategy, surveillance, land development, resource reserves as well as effective communication.
Without all these elements, the percentage to achieve the expected economic development is very low.
Therefore, we see developed countries able to develop the coast as a location for economic development based on good planning practices.
Similarly, without an element of effective planning, it is certain that the economic resources of coastal areas cannot be explored efficiently for the common good.
The countries of the European region have a high potential for developing the coast as a location for trade and a strong economic generator with the role of government and non-governmental organisations as a catalyst.
For example, the Dutch government enacted the Nature Conservation Act as one of the main agenda to help the development of economic sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and resource exploration in coastal areas.
As a resident of the coastal area, this author also has high hopes for the Coastal Development Agency to be realised in the future after the Sarawak government established the Sri Aman Development Agency, Ulu Rejang Development Authority in Kapit, Samarahan Integrated Regional Development Agency, The Highland Development Agency in Baram and the Northern Region Development Agency in Limbang and Lawas.
Without proper management, the potential of coastal areas will not be realised even with the completion of several major bridges over the next four years in addition to the Coastal Road Network and the Second Trunk Road.
However, this author is confident that the GPS state government has a strategic and orderly plan to ensure that coastal areas would continue to be more developed.
