KAPIT – The Sarawak government has reinforced its commitment to balanced development across the state with major infrastructure and funding announcements made during a community engagement session in Kapit on 6 November.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg confirmed that RM122 million has been allocated for the Merirai Road Project, a strategic route designed to connect Baleh, the Baleh Dam area, and longhouse settlements in the interior.
The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time for rural residents, providing easier access to essential services and economic opportunities.
The Premier explained that road connectivity remains crucial for divisions such as Kapit, where many communities continue to rely on river transport.
“We are also building several important roads here that will link Baleh, the dam, and settlements in the interior,” he said, stressing that improved infrastructure is key to unlocking the region’s potential.
The Merirai Road forms part of a wider plan to modernise Kapit, which has already seen allocations for water supply upgrades and electricity expansion.
According to recent government statements, Kapit is projected to become a modern township within five years, supported by feeder roads, new jetties, and other facilities to stimulate local economic activity.
In addition to the road project, the Premier announced that the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) will receive a second round of funding worth RM1.5 billion under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
This financial injection will support socio-economic initiatives aimed at raising household incomes in rural areas, including programmes to diversify livelihoods and expand infrastructure.
The Premier emphasised that the RM1.5 billion allocation reflects the state’s broader vision of equitable growth, ensuring that Sarawak’s progress towards high-income status benefits all regions, not just urban centres.
Rural development agencies have already played a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects such as utilities expansion, road networks, and income-generating schemes in the Upper Rajang and surrounding divisions.
Officials highlighted that the government’s rural transformation agenda is built on sustained investment, strategic planning, and active community participation.
With oversight from agencies such as URDA and RECODA, the initiatives are expected to deliver lasting improvements in living standards and economic resilience.
As Sarawak advances into the next phase of the 13MP, the focus will remain on translating policy commitments into tangible benefits for households in the interior.
The combined allocations of RM122 million for the Merirai Road and RM1.5 billion for URDA and RECODA are anticipated to strengthen the foundations of inclusive growth, ensuring that no region is left behind in the state’s journey towards sustainable prosperity.
