KUCHING: The new Lawas Hospital is on track to be completed by early 2025.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the hospital, which is currently under construction, is among several other development projects nearing completion.
“The Centre for Technology Sarawak (CENTEX) campus for Lawas is also nearing completion, however as of now they (students and staff) are currently based at a temporary campus (located elsewhere),” he said when met by reporters during the ‘JATI Lawas Raya’ gathering at Dewan Hikmah here last night (May 4).
Awang Tengah said that the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) is also currently being developed and added that an Olympic-sized swimming pool is currently underway for developments to take place.
“We are working hard to ensure more facilities are being developed and constructed. Therefore, another industrial master plan has been implemented for local planning for Lawas and Limbang town.
“There are some changes that will take place and we will improve them and (ensure) the local plan is comprehensive,” he added.
Additionally, Awang Tengah also shared that allocations amounting to RM160 million were allocated through the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) for health infrastructures, schools and hospitals alike.
He mentioned that there are ongoing plans to maximise the joint border development’s potential in Ba Kelalan to encourage ecotourism and attract tourists.
Awang Tengah explained that the Sungai Tujuh Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex has the potential to welcome international tourists to visit attraction sites such as the Merarap Hot Springs and Mount Murud.
“The CIQ (Sungai Tujuh) has potential, firstly through cross border trade and we would also like to look into plans to develop the joint border development.
“Because this can give us an opportunity for us to advance the eco-tourists sectors and despite the current lack in infrastructural facilities, it remains an attraction for tourists from Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the European countries,” he told reporters.
He added there are also plans to instigate the low land areas and the Brunei Bay to expand its potential to enhance the fishing industry.
“Therefore, we focus on strategic developments to facilitate growth and for us to plan through economic benefits that could spur forward socio economic growth in the community,” he said.
Also present was Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud.
