Sarawak Border Area Development Master Plan Study Expected To Be Completed By Year-End
KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is conducting a study on the Sarawak Border Area Development Master Plan, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, to identify the development potential of the state’s border areas as strategic gateways for trade, investment and regional connectivity.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the study’s findings would be comprehensively reviewed to identify suitable projects for phased implementation based on priorities, needs and implementation readiness.
“The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Upon its completion, the findings will be comprehensively reviewed to identify suitable projects for phased implementation based on priorities, needs and implementation readiness, subject to the relevant allocations and approvals,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Opar Assemblyman Billy Sujang during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting here on Thursday.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim added that the study took into account the strategic importance of Sarawak’s border areas following Indonesia’s decision to relocate its capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.
It also aimed to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a logistics gateway, economic partner and strategic link within Borneo and the ASEAN region.
He said the master plan also included proposals to upgrade the Biawak Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, as well as initiatives related to development and improvements in the socio-economic well-being of the Biawak area.
In a related development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim said border development projects in Sarawak involving the construction of monuments at strategic locations along the national border, including Biawak, were in the final stage of preparation.
The designs and Letters of Acceptance (SST) for preliminary works were expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2026.
He said the RM3 million project, implemented by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), covered control posts at Telok Melano, Ba’Kelalan, Tebedu, Biawak in Lundu and Lubok Antu. -UKASnews
Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photo: George S. Embie
Translator: Uilson Ng
