Connectivity, cottage industries and fishing: Three pillars for Belawai’s prosperity

Len (centre) purchases the first songket woven by 19-year-old songket student Nur Ashikin Helmi (second right) on Feb 20, 2026, as a sign of support and encouragement for the young apprentice.

By Lian Cheng

DARO, Feb 20: Despite its remote location, the residents of Belawai constituency have managed to earn a good living through cottage industries, processing organic raw materials into products that can be preserved and distributed throughout Sarawak and even overseas.

A notable example is 53-year-old Rahayu Bidawi, who has been selling frozen roti canai not only across Sarawak but also to Indonesia.

For the last 18 years, she produced four to eight kilograms of roti canai each day, raking in about RM280 per day, which means RM8,400 per month.  Apart from frozen roti canai, she also produces frozen donut and curry puff.

“I sell them here.  There are also orders from Kuching, Miri and Sibu.  My products have yet to reach supermarkets,” Rahaya told the D’Drift team.

Rahayu Bidawi.

Meanwhile, Belawai assemblyman Datuk Len Talif who is also Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment said the Belawai constituents have been able to enjoy a relatively comfortable life because of the improved connectivity under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the local products of Belawai constituency which consists mainly of three villages of Belawai, Kampung Rajang and Kampung Jerijeh, have been sold to other parts of Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and even Indonesia, such as Rahaya’s roti canai.

The products of Belawai—sesar unjur (dried straightened prawn), rempeyek (deep fried savoury crackers) and other delicacies.

“It’s all started with connectivity. You see, if you have a good connectivity, then whatever products that you produce, whether cakes, cookies and whatnot, can be sold to the outside world.

“Whether it’s by road, by bridges, or by internet, or by airplane, or by boat. Connectivity is what I always call a prerequisite for economic development. As long as the infrastructure is good, the people will be able to push their products into the market, of not only local villages but of Kuching and of Sarawak. The whole world is a market,” said Len.

As a local boy of Kampung Rajang, he knew how tough life was where he had to attend secondary school in Kanowit which is about 200 km away from home. In the early days, it took him three days and two nights to reach his school. Today, due to connectivity, it takes only two hours to reach Kanowit.

Besides connectivity, he said, education has been another factor in changing the life of rural residents such as those in Belawai constituency. 

With the surge in fish prices, residents of Belawai—many of whom rely on fishing as their traditional livelihood—have also benefited significantly, Len added.

Another source of pride for Belawai is its Songket Weaving Centre, renowned for producing some of the finest songket in Malaysia.

Known as Songket Rajang, the songket is uniquely crafted to be worn beautifully on both sides.

“The Songket Weaving Centre is a must visit place in Belawai, befitting the visit of even the king and the queen,” said Len. — DayakDaily

Songket Rajang, a distinctive traditional handwoven textile from the Rajang region of Sarawak such as Belawai. It is famously crafted so that both sides of the fabric can be worn, with equally intricate patterns on each side.