Samalaju township set to back fast-growing industrial expansion

Awang Tengah (fifth left) and other distinguished guests at the launching of Samalaju SME Cluster Project in Samalaju on June 29, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

BINTULU, June 30: Sarawak plans to develop Samalaju township, which will include housing, education, healthcare, sports and recreational facilities to support the rapid expansion of the Samalaju Industrial Area, which is fast emerging as an international industrial hub.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the township development will be implemented alongside strengthened infrastructure planning, including upgraded utilities to meet the growing needs of residents and the expanding industrial workforce.

“The State government is also enhancing key infrastructure in the area, including increasing electricity supply capacity and constructing a new water treatment plant with a capacity of 200 million litres per day (MLD) to ensure long-term water security for Samalaju.

“We are also planning the development of Samalaju township, which will include housing, education, sports and recreational facilities. We have also submitted a request to the federal government to prioritise the construction of a hospital in Samalaju,” he said when delivering his speech at the Samalaju SME Cluster Project launch in Samalaju on Monday (June 29).

The Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development II said the township initiative is timely, given Samalaju’s rapid transformation, located about 60 kilometres from Bintulu, into a major industrial hub attracting multinational companies.

On the SME development front, he said the Samalaju SME Cluster will complement the existing industrial ecosystem by expanding opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to supply value-added products and services to industries operating in the area.

“The project will be developed in 10 phases across 96.72 hectares, with a total estimated cost of RM223 million.

“Phase 1 and Phase 2 have already been completed, involving RM25.8 million in investment and providing 21 industrial lots,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) will implement the Samalaju Collaborative and Operational Readiness Engine for MSMEs (SCORE-MSME) programme to strengthen MSME competitiveness through vendor development, technology transfer, global certification, skills enhancement, and improved access to financing.

Also present were Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development and Samalaju assemblyman Datuk Majang Renggi, Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, and permanent secretary of MINTRED Datu Lester Matthew. — DayakDaily