Fast-tracking Sri Aman’s development

SIMANGGANG: The Sri Aman Development Area (Sada) master plan will be drawn up for a holistic development of the Sri Aman Division.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that development in Sri Aman had become relatively slow compared to other new administrative areas such as Bintulu which has abundant natural resources.

For this reason, he pointed out that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government wanted to ensure Sri Aman would be able to move in tandem with the more developed areas.

“I believe the Sri Aman area has good potential but has not been able to develop faster probably because it did not have enough opportunities.

“Therefore, in an effort to ensure that all areas are able to move together in the current development trend of the state, Sri Aman area must get a new ‘injection’ in terms of infrastructure facilities.

“I am confident that the network of the Second Trunk Road which passes through Sri Aman via Sebuyau and Lingga and continues to Roban will provide the necessary ‘boost’ to inject a more vibrant economic environment for the Sri Aman area.

“Efforts to develop the Sri Aman area will be mobilised through a master plan called the Sri Aman Development Area (SADA) which will holistically look at how Sri Aman can be lifted in terms of economic development,” he said.

He said this when officiating at the state-level national day dinner ‘Ambang Hari Kebangsaan’ at Hotel Sri Simanggang here on Sunday.

Abang Johari pointed out that Sri Aman has potential in terms of agriculture such as paddy and pineapple.

“In terms of tourism, Sri Aman has places that could be developed into tourism products such as Batang Ai Dam, culture and nature tourism for areas such as Skrang and Batang Lemanak, Orangutan life in Batang Ai National Park, Benak Batang Lupar, wildlife in peat swamp areas such as Maludam National Park, among others,” he said.

Gracing the event were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.

Also present were chief minister’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is minister-in-charge of the celebration, other Cabinet ministers and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.

The highlight of the state-level celebration will be a ‘Unity Walk’ event on Monday morning (Aug 31) which will be participated by 250 people attired in their traditional costumes walking about 1.5km around Simanggang Town.