KUCHING: Infrastructure development carried out aggressively by the Sarawak Government continues to be a catalyst for progress in rural areas by opening up better access to facilities, markets, and economic opportunities for the people.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said the implementation of road and bridge projects throughout the state has successfully connected rural areas with economic growth centres, thereby narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas.

According to him, better infrastructure facilities not only ease the movement of residents but also increase the economic value of local produce through wider market access.

"When we develop rural areas, rural areas will become urban because the infrastructure is adequate and our way of life also changes," he said.

He said this while speaking at the Official Opening Ceremony of Farley Garden Kuching, here, on Saturday.

According to Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari, over the past six years, the state government has completed more than 20 bridge projects throughout Sarawak as part of efforts to strengthen the state's connectivity network.

He said the construction of such infrastructure has had a direct impact on rural communities, as agricultural produce and local products can now be marketed more easily and fetch higher value.

He also cited examples of increases in the prices of local produce in several areas following the completion of bridge and road projects that eased access to markets, thereby increasing residents' incomes.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Premier disclosed that the state government is also carrying out various new road projects to improve connectivity between development areas.

He said efforts to expand the infrastructure network form part of the state government's long-term strategy to create more balanced and inclusive economic growth throughout Sarawak.

He stressed that infrastructure development will continue to be a priority for the state government in ensuring that the benefits of Sarawak's progress can be enjoyed by all segments of society regardless of location.

At the same time, he described the development of business centres and modern supermarkets such as Farley as complementing the state's development agenda, thereby creating more economic opportunities and services for the people.

Earlier, the Sarawak Premier held a walkabout and a "Live Run" of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) 2026.

He personally witnessed a demonstration of a basic necessities purchase transaction using SKAS assistance at Farley Supermarket, as part of the implementation of the initiative.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaae, Deputy Minister at the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Kota Sentosa Assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Farley Group Chairman Lau Siew Whye, and Farley Group Director Eising Lau. -UKASnews

Prepared by : Nur Nabilla
Photographer : Ibanez Jeffery Guang
Translator : Uilson Ng