The party balances the economic potential of northern Sarawak

LIMBANG, 19 September: Balance Party 2026 serves as a platform to strengthen the potential of Balance as a tourism, trade and investment hub in northern Sarawak, especially in the context of BIMP-EAGA cross-border cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the strategic position of Limbang bordering Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia as well as nearby Sabah and Labuan gives the area an advantage to develop as an economic and tourism hub.

He said the Balance Party also played a role in introducing the district's uniqueness to visitors from across Borneo, as well as opening up opportunities for local industry players and entrepreneurs to expand their business networks and explore new markets.

"The Balance Party is a platform for us to promote this Balance as one of the tourist attractions. It is one of the centers for developing trade and investment.

"We see that this equilibrium position is so strategic. We are bordered by Brunei Darussalam and our neighboring country, Indonesia. Moreover, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, where the archipelago is located, Indonesia's new capital city, we are also neighbouring Sabah and Labuan and our position is strategic if you look at it from a wider area, the BIMP-EAGA region", he said.

He said this while representing the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at the 2026 Balance Party Inauguration Meeting in Sungai Limbian Square today.

Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development of Sarawak Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Member of Parliament Former MP Henry Sum Agong, ADUN Batu Danau Paulus Palu Gumbang, Resident of Limbang Unus Tambi, District Officer of Limbang Sulaiman Engal, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Awangku Jinal Abedin Dato Pengiran Jawa and Chairman of the Regional Council of Limburg Councillor Sufian Mohat.

Awang Tengah who is also the Second Sarawak Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development said besides being a platform to promote local culture, food and products, the festival opened up space for industry players as well as local entrepreneurs to expand their business networks and explore new market opportunities.

He added that the Balanced and Long-term development plan continues to be strengthened through the preparation of local plans to identify and optimize the resource potential and strategic positioning of both areas.

He said that the plan also takes into account implementation of major infrastructure projects including Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), North Coast Highway (NCH) and Trans-Borneo Highway, as well as efforts to improve facilities for electricity supply, water and telecommunications systems.

According to him, more structured urban development planning is essential to ensure that the potential of the Balanced and Older can be optimally developed.

In this regard, it is clear that consultants have been appointed to prepare a local plan for Balance and Duration together with the Northern Regional Development Agency (NRDA).

The plan, he said, will serve as a guideline to strengthen cooperation and complementarity based on strengths in this part with Brunei Darussalam, Indonesian Borneo, Sabah, Labuan and the entire region, especially under BIMP-EAGA. -TVS