LUBOK ANTU – Batang Ai is set to benefit from a fresh wave of development initiatives under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) 2026 and Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocations, with a strong emphasis on improving basic facilities and supporting longhouse communities in resettlement areas.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, and Batang Ai Assemblyman, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, said the state government remains committed to ensuring rural communities are not left behind in the state’s growth agenda.
He highlighted that the RM12.9 billion Sarawak Budget 2026 will provide the necessary resources to attract investors and strengthen the economy.
Speaking during the RTP 2026 Project Visit Programme and the Leaders with the People session at Rumah Jenai Anak Gutak, Engkaras, Dr Mussen reaffirmed the government’s pledge to continue delivering development projects tailored to the needs of longhouse residents.
“The government is committed to continuing development, especially for the longhouse community,” he said.
Among the projects approved are the construction of a new mini-pengalak, preparation of longhouse sites, and upgrading works for several existing longhouses.
These initiatives aim to improve living conditions and provide better infrastructure for rural households.
In addition, several Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) within the Resettlement Scheme areas have been granted assistance under the MRP allocation.
This support is intended to strengthen community administration and ensure local governance structures remain effective.
Beyond rural infrastructure, Batang Ai has also been earmarked for major renewable energy projects. The area is home to Sarawak’s first and Malaysia’s largest floating solar plant, a 50 MW facility launched in 2025 at the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam.
Plans are underway to expand capacity further, with projections of up to 170 MW of solar energy, positioning Batang Ai as Malaysia’s largest solar power hub.
These renewable energy ventures complement the RTP and MRP allocations, reflecting Sarawak’s broader strategy to balance rural development with sustainable energy growth.
The integration of infrastructure upgrades and clean energy projects underscores the state’s ambition to modernise rural communities while contributing to national energy goals.
The latest announcements highlight Batang Ai’s growing role in Sarawak’s development narrative. With combined investments in community facilities, governance support, and renewable energy, the constituency is poised to become a model for rural transformation and sustainability.
