BINTULU: The establishment of the Bintulu Rural Development Committee (BIRDCOM) serves as a primary driver in accelerating infrastructure development and coordinating the implementation of rural projects more cohesively within the region.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, stated that the initiative ensures development is more organised, inclusive, and high-impact for the people.
According to him, the state government has also taken proactive steps by agreeing to take over old logging roads to be upgraded for the use of residents.
“This approach is vital to ensure that rural communities continue to enjoy facilities on par with other areas,” he said.
He said this while speaking at the Sebauh 2026 Gawai Dayak Mantar Ceremony at Restaurant Dinner World on Friday.
Meanwhile, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said that the implementation of BIRDCOM is in line with the efforts of other development agencies in expanding the basic infrastructure network.
According to him, development proposals involving the areas of Tatau, Sebauh, Bintulu, and Samalaju have been submitted to meet the needs of the people.
“There are still many areas without roads, and it is estimated that approximately RM1.17 billion is required to develop road infrastructure in those areas,” he noted.
He emphasised that the scale of these requirements reflects the significant challenges of rural development, which require comprehensive planning and phased implementation.
Also in attendance were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi, Jepak Assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti, and Sebauh District Officer Thaddeus Ling Bartholomew Allu.
The BIRDCOM initiative reflects the state government's ongoing commitment to accelerating integrated rural development, thereby improving the quality of life for the local community. -UKASnews
