THE state government has allocated RM1.5 billion to the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) to implement 43 projects, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said the 43 projects comprise 27 roads and bridges, 11 water supplies, three master plan studies and two buildings.
“To date, six projects have been completed, 33 are under construction and the remaining four are expected to be implemented in the third quarter of 2023.
“Through the development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water supply projects, URDA aims to improve living standards and boost economic growth in the Upper Rajang basin,” he said in his ministerial winding up speech on today.
Earlier he said URDA, is the first agency established in 2017 to accelerate development in the Upper Rajang basin, which encompasses several districts, including Kanowit, Song, Kapit, Bukit Mabong and Belaga, with a total area of 41,186.5 square kilometres.
Meanwhile, he said the Highland Development Agency (HDA) was established in 2017 to spearhead planning and development in the hinterlands of Baram covering areas like Marudi, Bario, Long Banga, Long Lellang, Mulu, Telang Usan and Tinjar.
“The Sarawak government has allocated RM1.5 billion to undertake 50 infrastructure projects which comprise 29 roads and bridges, 19 involving water supply and two electricity supply.
“To date, eight projects have been completed, 40 are under various stages of implementation and the remaining two are to be implemented in the third quarter of 2023.
“In addition, a proposed project linking Miri-Marudi, Marudi-Mulu (Kuala Melinau) and Long Panai-Long Lama involving a 160.5km single carriageway, nine major bridges, 13 minor bridges and one passenger jetty terminal has been submitted for consideration under the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review,” he said.
As for the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), he said a sum of RM1.5 billion has been allocated to implement infrastructure and economic development projects in the division which covers the constituencies of Layar, Bukit Saban, Krian, Kalaka, Saribas, Beting Maro, Kabong and parts of Lingga.
“To date, 83 projects under Phase 1 amounting to RM740 million, have been submitted for approval.
“This includes projects under sectors such as Infrastructure Development (45 projects), Social Development (16 projects), Agriculture and Food Industry Development (17 projects), Tourism and Environment Development (two projects); and Industrial, Commercial, Business, and Entrepreneurship (three projects).
“With the completion of these projects, it is our aspiration that the communities in Betong Division will experience and witness significant changes in the socio-economic landscape,” Uggah added.
