By Marlynda Meraw
“We (Sarawak) must be in control of our own destiny. We need to have sufficient funds to finance the development that we have planned for our State. We cannot depend entirely on the federal government for development funding in view of the current political scenario.” Abang Johari (May 9, 2019)
FOR a State as vast and diverse as Sarawak that covers a significant portion of Borneo, the challenge of ensuring equitable development across its varied landscapes and communities is particularly pronounced. Under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has embarked on a transformative journey to refine its development strategy. Central to this was the understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach would not suffice for Sarawak’s unique regional characteristics.
To ensure more focused, coordinated, and effective development implementation, Abang Johari is instrumental in establishing nine specific regional development agencies to date. This strategic move aimed to decentralise planning and execution, empowering these bodies to address the distinct needs and opportunities within their designated zones. In May 2023, Abang Johari reiterated that an allocation of RM1.5 billion had been allocated to each of the nine development agencies, a move designed to accelerate localised infrastructure growth, address regional disparities, and support the economic well-being of all Sarawakians. This marked a watershed moment in Sarawak’s development journey—a deliberate move to operationalise inclusivity, ensuring no place is left behind, not just in rhetoric but through tangible, on-the-ground impact.
Strengthening the South
In the southern part of Sarawak, four agencies are at the forefront of integrating urban dynamism with rural development. The Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), established in November 2018 and officially inaugurated on June 10, 2022, drives holistic development in the rapidly growing Samarahan region. Its broad objectives include enhancing infrastructure, boosting investment, implementing the digital economy, fostering entrepreneurship, and executing high-impact projects. Even before its formal inauguration, 594 projects were already underway, demonstrating early momentum.
By late 2022, 608 projects had been introduced, and significant progress has been made, with 79 per cent of projects under IRSDA reported as completed by April 2024. Notable initiatives include the RM79 million Simunjan town landscape retaining wall, approved in August 2022, and the ambitious RM100 million, mile-long Samarahan boulevard announced in September 2024.
Complementing IRSDA’s work is the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), which was announced in June 2022 and formally established in September that year. GKCDA plays a crucial coordinating role for projects across the expansive Greater Kuching area, including Lundu, Siburan, Serian, Bau, and part of Balai Ringin. Its establishment was spurred by requests from four assemblymen: Miro Simuh (Serembu), Dr Simon Sinang Bada (Tebedu), John Ilus (Bukit Semuja), and Billy Sujang (Opar) representing Bidayuh-majority areas with the aim of ensuring focused development from Lundu to Serian. By October 2024, GKCDA had approved 372 projects in its first phase, distributed across nine constituencies, with 201 projects allocated to Kuching Division and 171 to Serian Division. The scale of investment is evident, with the Bukit Semuja constituency alone set to receive 47 projects valued at RM152 million.
A little north of Kuching, the Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada) targets the specific needs of the Sri Aman region. Proposed in January 2020 as Sri Aman Development Area and officially designated as the agency Sada in June 2020, this agency focuses on harnessing the area’s unique potential and boosting local socio-economic development. In 2023, Sada was tasked with implementing 25 diverse projects. These included crucial infrastructure works like the Kejamut flood mitigation project and the upgrading of Jalan Guntong-Menalang, community facilities such as a new bridge at Kampung Beleti, unique eco-tourism initiatives like the Batang Ai orangutan observatory, and human capital development through the upgrading of the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS).
Adjacent to Sri Aman, the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) concentrates on uplifting the Betong division. Formerly known as Betong Integrated Development Agency (BIDA), BDDA was established in September 2022 upon the Sarawak Cabinet’s approval. It spearheads income-generating initiatives and vital infrastructure improvements to enhance the socio-economic landscape. Demonstrating its focus on grassroots development, in September 2024, the agency approved 72 projects amounting to RM1.429 million, primarily targeting agricultural enhancements and the expansion of farm roads to support the local agrarian economy.
Transforming the Central Rajang Heartland
The central region, characterised by the vast Rajang River basin and extending to the coast, is the focus of three key agencies driving development in its interior and delta areas. The Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), established in July 2017 under Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda), oversees a substantial area covering Kapit, Kanowit, Song, Belaga, and Bukit Mabong. A primary responsibility for URDA involves the management of major hydroelectric assets, namely the Bakun, Murum, and Baleh dams, alongside the critical task of constructing access roads connecting these dams to settlement areas.
Illustrating its ongoing infrastructure work, groundbreaking for the 7km Pelagus-Baleh Road took place on January 10, 2025. This RM70 million project, connecting five longhouses around Baleh, Rumah (Rh) Belaja, Nanga (Ng) Benin, Ng Pelagus, and Pelagus Resort areas is slated for completion in 2027. Addressing the needs of the mid-Rajang area is the Mid-Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA). Initially conceived as Rascom Development Agency (RASDA) upon its announcement in November 2022, the agency was subsequently rebranded to MiRRDA in September 2023. MiRRDA is responsible for spearheading development efforts across Sarawak’s central Rajang region. Its mandate includes advancing socio-economic progress, transforming local infrastructure, and revitalising the agricultural sector. One of its early initiatives has been to promote coffee cultivation in Selangau as a means to diversify the local economy and reduce dependency on traditional commodities.
In a focused effort to uplift historically significant areas, MiRRDA decided to implement income-generating projects across four former Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) resettlement schemes in October 2024 at Ng Jagau, Ng Ngungun, and Ng Tada in Kanowit, along with Ng Sekuau in Selangau. Each resettlement area has been allocated RM50 million, drawn from MiRRDA’s RM1.5 billion development fund, to implement bespoke projects tailored to local strengths and community needs. Encompassing all areas of the Rajang Delta, the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), was announced in June 2022. Its mandate covers coastal areas stretching from Daro and Pulau Bruit up to Mukah. RADDA’s core purpose is to drive essential regional infrastructure improvements and foster socio-economic progress, thereby accelerating development in these historically under-served coastal communities.
A clear testament to this was seen in October 2024, when six major development projects were implemented in the Meradong area. These included the construction of the Bintangor Riverfront, enhancement of the Bintangor Recreational Park, upgrading of the town’s reticulation system, a proposed trunk main pipe from Jalan Kelupu to the Tulai Booster System, the construction of a new access road linking Jalan Kilang to Jalan Janting, and the building of a two-storey multipurpose hall in Meradong. These initiatives reflect RADDA’s strategy of combining infrastructure development with amenities that enhance quality of life and support local economic resilience across the delta region.
Connecting Far Reaches of the North
Sarawak’s northernmost territories and unique highland interiors receive dedicated attention through two agencies operating under Recoda’s purview. The Northern Regional Development Agency (NRDA), established in March 2018, concentrates on stimulating economic development within the Limbang and Lawas districts. The agency is responsible for overseeing a significant portfolio of infrastructure projects, with 168 planned for the region as of 2022. A landmark project currently under its management is the new Bandar Lawas Bridge, a RM150 million initiative expected to reach completion in early 2025. Once completed, the bridge is expected to reduce travel time across the Batang Lawas, connecting Kampung Ladang Baru on the south of Lawas town, with Jalan Pulau Salam on the north. Supporting NRDA in the northern region of Sarawak, the Highland Development Agency (HDA), established in July 2017, addresses the specific development needs across the expansive highland terrain, including notable areas like Bario, Mulu, and Long Lama.
HDA aims to uplift the approximately 75,000 residents living in 244 villages and longhouses within its jurisdiction. As of September 2022, a total of 50 infrastructural projects were undertaken by the HDA in various stages of implementation. Among its efforts is a strategic initiative such as the Long Lama Rural Growth Centre. Alongside agricultural improvements, HDA prioritises enhancing essential services, upgrading educational and healthcare facilities, and developing infrastructure like roads and bridges to improve connectivity for remote highland communities.
A Vision in Every Corner of Sarawak
The coordinated efforts spearheaded by these regional agencies are yielding tangible results across Sarawak. As of January 1, 2025, progress reports indicated significant activities within just three agencies: URDA, HDA, and NRDA, which collectively completed 138 projects during the 2024 calendar year. There are 64 more projects actively under implementation, while a further 45 are progressing through design, planning, or tendering phases. Reinforcing the scale of this statewide push, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), working through the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), confirmed in November 2024 that it was actively implementing 276 projects valued at a substantial RM3.48 billion. These projects fall under the scope of six key RDAs: IRSDA, SADA, BDDA, RADDA, URDA, and HDA, highlighting the extensive and coordinated nature of infrastructure development currently underway.
The establishment of these nine regional development agencies represents a cornerstone of Abang Johari’s strategic vision for Sarawak. By empowering these agencies with significant financial resources, clear mandates, and localised operational capacity, Sarawak is working actively to uplift communities, enhance critical infrastructure, stimulate local economies, and improve connectivity for even the most remote areas. In choosing this path, Abang Johari has not only decentralised development but embedded it into the identity of Sarawak, ensuring that the journey towards progress is shared by all, from the urban heartlands to the remote edges of the State.
The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd.
