Sarawak steps up rural development to achieve RM15,000 household income by 2030, says Sikie

TATAU (March 10): The Sarawak government is intensifying efforts to enhance infrastructure, economic opportunities, and education in rural areas to help raise average household incomes to RM15,000 by 2030, said Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.

The Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department said better infrastructure, particularly rural roads, plays an important role in facilitating development and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.

He said the Mid-Rajang Regional Development Agency (Mirrda) and Bintulu Rural Development Committee will further accelerate infrastructure and economic development in the region, including upgrading roads in the Kakus state constituency.

“In addition to infrastructure, economic development programmes will also be strengthened, including assistance for oil palm and coffee cultivation as well as pig farming under Mirrda,” said the Kakus assemblyman when officially opening the road in front of Rumah Panjang Danggat Nuing in Sungai Kana, Anap here on Sunday.

On education, Sikie noted that the Sarawak government has introduced initiatives such as the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) and free tuition at four state-owned universities to ensure Sarawakians have greater access to higher education and to help produce a skilled workforce for the future.

In his speech, Tatau District Officer Calvin Ligong Bujang @ Endawie reminded residents to fully utilise minor rural project allocation distributed by their elected representatives.

He pointed out the funds should not be distributed as cash among individual households but instead utilised for development projects that benefit the entire longhouse community.

“As an example, the allocation could be used to purchase fire extinguishers, which are essential for longhouse safety and to reduce the risk of fire,” he said.

He also stressed that all expenditure must be properly recorded and reported in writing to the district office or service centre to ensure transparency and effective use of the funds.

Among those present were Selangau MP Edwin Banta, representatives from various government agencies, 60 longhouse chiefs, and 400 residents from the area.