Premier: RM60 mln for developing industrial parks, business premises under 2024 Budget

KUCHING (Nov 20): An allocation of RM60 million will be provided in the proposed 2024 Budget to develop industrial parks and business premises, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Johari listed the projects as the expansion of Demak Laut Industrial Park, Samalaju small and medium enterprises (SMEs); Kuching High-Tech Park; and various industrial estates in Sibu, Sematan, Bau and Marudi.

“Under the 2024 Budget, the government will continue its efforts to diversify the industrial sector through deepening and strengthening the value chains in oil and gas, energy intensive, high-tech, food, and shipbuilding, alongside the traditional timber-based, oil palm-based, and other manufacturing activities,” Abang Johari told the State Legislative Assembly when presenting the Budget 2024 today.

He also announced the establishment of the state-owned methanol plant under Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd in Bintulu and an ammonia plant, as well as the development of onshore gas plants that will form part of the Sarawak Integrated Sour Gas Evacuation System (SISGES).

Abnag Johari also informed that the value of mineral resources in the state is estimated to be about RM1.252 trillion and the value is expected to increase once the mineral exploration and geological mapping of the entire area of Sarawak is completed.

He said an allocation of RM26 million to undertake a geological mapping of the state’s mineral resources has been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan, of which RM5.5 million will be allocated in 2024.

On the development of agroparks, Abang Johari said RM23 million will be allocated in 2024 to complete Package 3 of the Sungai Baji Agropark, Sarikei that is expected to commence operation by early 2024.

The other agroparks include Asajaya and Parit Bugis that will be allocated a sum of RM2.5 million, while another RM4 million will be allocated for the development of essential infrastructure at Bebuling Agropark, Betong.

Abang Johari said the government has also approved the development of news areas for agroparks; namely Gedong Semalatong Agropark, Simanggang Agropark, and Dalat Agropark, each to be allocated RM200,000 for preliminary works.

“In addition, a sum of RM53.6 million has been set aside for the development of Lubok Tamang Agropark in Betong Division, of which RM18 million will be required in 2024.”

To accelerate the development of modern farming, Abang Johari said the state government has approved a sum of RM60 million to implement precision farming park at Sungai Sebiew in Bintulu and in Kabuloh, Miri.

He also informed the august House that the state has imported 164,621 metric tonnes of rice valued at RM362 million in 2022 and concerted efforts are being made to implement measures in ensuring food security of the state.

“Sarawak is targeting to produce 240,000 tonnes of rice a year with the use of hybrid rice seeds from Vietnam,” he said.

Abang Johari further said the promising hybrid rice seeds will be planted in Lubok Punggor in Gedong, Tanjung Bijat in Sri Aman, Spaoh in Betong, and Tanjung Purun in Lundu.

“Using the hybrid seeds would encourage paddy farmers to shift their method of cultivation, not only it can increase the input intensity but also its growth and productivity rate. Our farmers will be able to produce rice in three seasons per year by using this hybrid seeds.”

Thus, Abang Johari hoped the federal government will provide greater allocation for the construction and upgrading of drainage and irrigation infrastructure in these paddy planting areas.

“The government is also actively increasing the production of cattle and buffalo to address the low self-sufficiency level (SSL) of beef in Sarawak through the implementation of cattle breeding programme.”

He said the state government will allocate RM15 million next year to acquire quality cattle breeder stock, as part of the efforts to achieve a beef SSL target of 25 per cent by 2030.

On a separate matter, Abang Johari mentioned that his administration will implement competitive contractors’ development programmes, whereby at least 30 per cent of projects with a value of RM200,000 to RM2.5 million will be allocated to Bumiputera contractors to be undertaken through selective tender to ensure competitive bidding.