MIRI – Sarawak is drawing up a development master plan for its northernmost district of Lawas to facilitate faster socio-economic growth projects in the border region next to Sabah.
The master plan will cover the frontier town of Merapok, which is adjacent to Sindumin town across the border in Sabah, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
“The master plan at the Merapok-Sindumin region is a key border development blueprint that is aimed at speeding up infrastructure and business development projects at the border area.
“The master plan involves new projects for commercial and industrial activities as well as new residential schemes to meet the needs of the anticipated population growth. Lawas town is just about an hour away from the border with Sabah.
“We want to enhance growth at the border with Sabah,” Awang Tengah said during an iftar event at Merapok yesterday.
The State Public Communications Unit in a post today said Awang Tengah broke fast with numerous Sabah politicians.
They also discussed cross-border issues.
Among the Sabahan politicians who broke fast with Awang Tengah were Deputy Sabah Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusuf Yacob, and local community leaders.
It was reported yesterday that Sarawak is preparing to construct an interstate electricity supply grid with Sabah in order to sell electricity to the northern Borneo neighbour.
Awang Tengah had said the interstate power supply project with Sabah is already agreed upon.
“The Sarawak power grid will be linked to Limbang and Lawas districts soon (from Miri).
“Once that is done, Sarawak will then be able to link up with Sabah and sell our electricity to the Sabah government.
“We have already reached an agreement with the Sabah government on this power supply link,” he said during an iftar event in Limbang town. Limbang is also a northern district in Sarawak.
Sarawak is also planning to sell electricity to Kalimantan province in the Indonesian province on Borneo Island.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had recently said the energy sector spanning the Sarawak-Kalimantan border has vast potential to generate income for this state in the years ahead.
Sarawak has four huge dams in Batang Ai, Bengoh in southern Sarawak, Bakun, and Murum in central Sarawak.
Another hydro dam is under construction in Baleh sub-district in central Sarawak. – The Vibes, April 11, 2023
