Mukah ‘playing in billions’ with RM3 bln-plus development spending over five years

Abdullah speaks during a dinner with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) of the Mukah Division on Oct 2, 2026. Photo credit: Office of Premier of Sarawak (OPS)/Sarawakku Facebook page.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 2: Mukah Division is “playing in billions”, with more than RM3 billion in development projects implemented over the past five years, says Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.

He said the figure covered various public facilities and basic infrastructure projects implemented across the division, which comprises Mukah, Dalat, Matu, Daro and Tanjung Manis, as well as the sub-districts of Balingian, Oya and Igan.

“Over the past five years, there have been 78 Projek Rakyat involving various public facilities and basic infrastructure, with a total value of about RM1.3 billion,” he said during a dinner with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) of the Mukah Division earlier tonight, which was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook.

Abdullah, who is also Semop assemblyman, further said the RM1.3 billion did not include allocations under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), Minor Rural Project (MRP) and Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA).

He said the overall development figure also excluded more than RM2 billion allocated for water, electricity and telecommunications development in Mukah from 2018 to the present.

“Overall, it is no less than RM3 billion for Mukah Division alone,” he said.

Abdullah stressed that the figure did not include several major bridge projects, including the Batang Lassa, Batang Igan and Batang Paloh bridges.

He said Mukah currently had 13 major bridges, besides smaller bridges and jetties that served as important links for coastal and rural communities.

Road construction and upgrading works in the division alone had also cost more than RM1 billion, he added.

“So far, I am only talking about billions; I have not even mentioned millions. Mukah is playing in billions,” he said.

Abdullah also cited 1,338 RTP projects worth about RM55 million implemented in the division.

He said basic amenities such as water, electricity and telecommunications had continued to receive among the largest allocations compared with other divisions, reflecting Mukah’s geographical challenges.

About 80 per cent of Mukah Division is coastal, with a coastline of nearly 200km facing the South China Sea, stretching from Balingian to Tanjung Manis and Belawai.

The division covers about 6,998 sq km and has 162 villages and 254 longhouses, with a population of around 110,000.

Abdullah said the scale of infrastructure spending was necessary to strengthen connectivity between villages and towns and provide more reliable access to basic amenities.

“These are not just figures on paper. Every project gives our people better roads, better links between villages and towns, and more stable access to basic amenities,” he said.

The dinner was attended by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — DayakDaily