By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 1: Sarawak is ready to develop federal land returned to the State in the Mid Rajang area, with local development plans already prepared to address settlement, infrastructure and agricultural needs.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the former Rajang Area Security Command (RASCOM) area, which falls under the Mid-Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA), would be among the areas to benefit from the State’s redevelopment plans following the return of federal land under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) devolution process.
“Indeed, we have plans. In RASCOM, under MiRRDA, we intend to redevelop the area.
“Firstly, the longhouses there are too densely populated. When they become overcrowded, the roads are also not very good. We have already built roads, and we have a local plan for the area.
“From the perspective of the agricultural industry, the area can also be developed,” he told reporters after attending Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Special Convention for the Betong Zone today. An audio recording of his remarks was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abang Johari said the development proposal was submitted by the MiRRDA committee chaired by Datuk Sri Aaron Ago Dagang, with former State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion involved in coordinating the planning.
He said MiRRDA has an initial allocation of RM1.5 billion for development within its area, which includes the former RASCOM region.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the return of federal land to Sarawak was achieved through discussions under the MA63 devolution process.
He said the agreement covered federal land that was no longer being used, allowing it to be returned to the State government.
“We have reached an agreement through our discussions. Any Federal land that is not developed within five years, unless there are concrete plans for it, shall be returned to the State,” he said.
When asked whether the land had already been officially returned to the Sarawak government, Awang Tengah confirmed that it had.
“Yes. And we already have a local plan to organise how we want to develop the MiRRDA area,” he said.
The return of the land forms part of Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to regain greater control over matters related to land and development under MA63, while allowing the State to implement development plans based on local needs. — DayakDaily
