Rural Development Focuses On Increasing People's Income
SPAOH: Comprehensive and high-impact rural development remains a priority for the Sarawak Government in its efforts to increase household incomes and improve living standards through various strategic economic sectors.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the State Government was committed to exploring various development opportunities, including agriculture, housing and urban development, to ensure the people benefited across all sectors.
He said the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) played an important role in driving rural development transformation through projects capable of stimulating economic growth and improving community well-being.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the LCDA Berambeh Ke Betong Programme, held in conjunction with LCDA's 45th anniversary celebration with the community at Dewan Masyarakat Spaoh, Betong, here on Sunday.
In the agricultural sector, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and New Economy, emphasised the importance of strengthening agribusiness and developing modern agriculture, including the Lubok Tamang Agropark project, as drivers of the state's economic growth and new sources of income for the people.
He said the development of village infrastructure, community shops and the Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) were also being prioritised to stimulate local economic activities and ensure rural residents enjoyed better access to basic amenities.
He added that LCDA, through LCDA Real Estate Sdn Bhd (LRESB), was also focusing on urban development, the renewal of residential areas and the provision of affordable housing to help target groups own their homes.
He said the Government planned to provide quality affordable homes priced at around RM150,000, including through discount schemes to ease the financial burden on buyers.
Meanwhile, the adoption of green technologies, such as solar energy, and the Smart City concept in the development of new settlements were among the approaches being pursued to create more modern and sustainable rural areas.
These efforts also aimed to ensure balanced development between urban and rural areas, while encouraging residents to remain in their respective communities and build their lives there.
Earlier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, together with other distinguished guests, visited exhibition booths set up by government agencies participating in the programme and witnessed the presentation of cash contributions to school communities and places of worship in the Spaoh area.
Also present were Betong MP Dato Dr Richard Rapu, LCDA General Manager Datu Sr Zaidi Mahdi, Betong Division Resident Datu Richard Michael Abunawas and Dato Razaili Gapor. -UKASnews
