LAWAS – The Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), via its Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), held an Awareness Programme in Lawas today to foster early-stage community engagement regarding the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) initiative.
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This session follows a similar event conducted in Limbang yesterday. The focus in Lawas highlights its strategic position as a key gateway linking Sarawak with Sabah to the east and Brunei Darussalam to the west.
RECODA’s Director of Project Management Division, Ir. Ts. Mohammad Safri Ibrahim, delivered the welcoming address, underscoring the significance of the project under Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. The initiative aims to elevate Lawas into a central hub for cross-border trade, tourism, logistics, and improve the community’s access to essential services.
In her opening remarks, Marie Rozita Kulai, Deputy Resident of Limbang Division representing the Resident, emphasised the benefits expected through the NCH: shortened travel times, enhanced safety, and expanded economic opportunities through improved transport of agricultural produce and local products to wider markets.
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NRDA Regional Director, Datu Ubaidillah Abdul Latip, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to delivering the Lawas segment on time, adhering to stringent safety and environmental standards, and achieving maximum socio-economic benefits for the local populace. He called for the community’s active cooperation during the construction phase, noting that successful delivery relies on strong partnerships between government, contractors, and residents.
The Lawas portion of the NCH spans over 40 kilometres from the Mengkalap Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) to ICQS Merapok. Planned works include construction of a new four-lane dual carriageway, enhancements to existing roads, building of new bridges in key locations, establishment of lay-by facilities and public amenities, and utility relocations. Construction is expected to span 48 months.
Throughout the day, attendees received briefings on the project’s broader strategic context, technical design, regulatory framework, stakeholder engagement plan, and environmental and social safeguards. A video presentation showcased the proposed route and infrastructure elements, followed by an open session encouraging feedback and queries.
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This awareness initiative comes amid broader coverage of the NCH project—from early technical planning to its role in creating a seamless domestic route linking Miri, Limbang, and Lawas, bypassing Brunei, reducing immigration bottlenecks and enhancing connectivity—expected to be completed by 2030 under Phase 1 efforts.
