TATAU – The Sarawak Government has reaffirmed its commitment to rural development, with the Premier’s office highlighting major infrastructure projects and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening communities across the state.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, said the state’s revenue had risen from RM6 billion to RM13 billion last year, enabling more projects and welfare programmes to be rolled out. He credited the foresight of past leaders for laying the foundation of Sarawak’s current progress.
“The development we are experiencing today is the result of the planning and wisdom of the elders who have a clear direction. The Sarawak government will do its utmost to ensure that the people in the rural areas are not left behind,” he said during the opening of the Rh Abon Banjar Bridge, part of the RTP 2025 initiative under the eBina Baharu Bridge programme.
Several large-scale projects have been approved under the Mid Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA), including the RM184 million Kelebu Road to Rh Ado, Lubuk Kubong project, and the RM75 million Muput Road project.
Meanwhile, the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) has sanctioned the road project from Rh Balis to Nanga Takan, while Jalai Penyarai will undergo repairs through the Bintulu Rural Development Committee (BIRDCOM) at a cost of RM200 million.
Dato Sri John Sikie stressed that cooperation from all stakeholders, particularly landowners, was vital to ensure smooth implementation and timely completion of these projects. He emphasised that accelerated development would directly benefit rural communities.
At the same event, Selangau MP Edwin Banta highlighted the growing interest among Selangau youth in technical and vocational education.
He noted that more than 500 students from the P214 Selangau constituency had received one-off education incentives since 2023, with RM800 allocated for diploma students and RM1,200 for degree students. In 2025 alone, over RM200,000 was distributed to support higher education.
“We need more Selangau children to become skilled workers and technical professionals. TVET, engineering and industrial skills are now the pillars of development,” he said.
He added that parents should encourage their children to pursue technical fields as a first choice, stressing that skills education is essential for building stable and competitive careers.
Earlier, Tatau District Officer Calvin Ligong reminded community leaders of their responsibility to keep village data updated and to appoint JKKK secretaries with IT knowledge to strengthen administrative work.
During the programme, Edwin Banta also presented a Minor Rural Project (MRP) cheque to the PIBG of SK Kuala Muput and handed over a Continuing Education Incentive to a recipient, reinforcing his support for education and human capital development.
The event was attended by representatives including Joseph Tyran from the Bintulu Public Works Department and Tatau District Pemancha Gerosen Jubin.
The combination of infrastructure expansion and educational investment reflects Sarawak’s broader strategy to bridge the urban-rural divide, ensuring that rural communities benefit from both physical development and opportunities for future generations.
