SADONG JAYA: The Sadong Jaya and Asajaya areas are expected to experience rapid coastal development transformation through the implementation of various infrastructure and strategic development projects under the Sarawak regional development agenda.

Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo said the area has strong potential to be developed as a new economic hub, particularly in the port, logistics and downstream industry sectors.

According to him, Sadong Jaya's strategic location near the Batang Sadong and Batang Lupar estuaries also makes the area one of the largest ‘ikan terubuk’ landing centres in Sarawak.

"Ikan terubuk represents the traditional identity of the coastal community in this area and has high economic value involving fishermen, harvesters, downstream product operators and the tourism sector," he said.

He said this during the opening ceremony of the postponed 2026 Terubuk Festival ‘Lan Berame Nge Sadong’ at the Sadong Jaya Warisan Village Open Air Theatre.

Datuk Ir Aidel added that the Sadong Jaya area is currently under strategic development planning under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) which focuses on a ‘bottom-up’ development approach based on the needs of the people.

According to him, this approach allows project proposals to be identified directly by the community through the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), community leaders and local agencies before being implemented by the government.

He also shared that each regional development agency in Sarawak has been allocated up to RM1.5 billion to implement various development and infrastructure projects that directly benefit the people.

The Sadong Jaya Assemblyman further said that the development of mega projects including the coastal bridge network such as the Batang Sadong Bridge and the Batang Lupar Bridge has successfully transformed the socio-economic development landscape of rural communities by improving connectivity and reducing travel times.

He also said the Samarahan coastal area has the potential to undergo new development including the proposed development of a deep-sea port as well as facilities related to Sarawak’s oil and gas industry in the future.

Meanwhile, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) Chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali said that the organisation of the 2026 Terubuk Festival successfully brought together people from various walks of life in addition to serving as a platform to introduce local products and strengthen the cultural heritage of coastal communities.

According to him, the organisers expect sales of ikan terubuk during the festival to reach up to one ton based on the encouraging response from visitors.

He said that 700 of the earliest buyers also received RM10 coupons for the purchase of ikan terubuk at the sales site in an effort to encourage the promotion of local products.

Throughout the three-day festival, various activities will be held, including karaoke competitions, aerobathons, ikan terubuk cooking competitions, ‘bertandak’ competitions, exhibitions of government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as performances by guest artists and sales by local entrepreneurs.

Also held was the symbolic officiating ceremony of the 2026 Terubuk Festival ‘Lan Berame Nge Sadong’ and Ikan Terubuk Sales by Datuk Ir Aidel.

At the same ceremony, he also presented Sadong Jaya constituency Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant cheques to 25 recipients involving mosques, suraus, associations and organisations with a total amount of RM450,000.

Also present were the wife of Sadong Jaya Assemblyman Datin Dayang Ernie Awang Hashim, representative of the Samarahan Division Resident Janfytria Abu Bakar, Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin, MPKS Deputy Chairman Councillor Daily Joseph, MPKS Municipal Secretary Gustian Durani and Samarahan Division Malay Community Temenggong Chek Bujang. -UKASnews