KUCHING: A two-day laboratory attended by multiple state stakeholders has been held to prepare for the development of Miri into a prosperous division by 2030.
Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said he had asked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to grant his request to hold the lab to deliberate the ‘Greater Miri Development Master Plan’.
“The lab is very opportune because the 15-year timeframe for Miri Regional Master Plan prepared by Konsortium Malaysia in association with GHD of Australia which started in 2005 will end this year,” he said during the lab organised by Miri Resident’s Office at Pullman Hotel on Monday (Nov 30).
He said it was important to look at what had been achieved; what had not been done, and to subsequently prepare for the future development of the Miri Division.
“My immediate recommendation to the State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is to conduct another ‘10-Year Master Plan for Miri Division’ starting 2021 until 2030,” he said.
He said the reason is that the proposed timeframe will synchronise with the state’s aspiration to become a developed and high-income state by 2030.
On the development of Miri Division from a regional planning perspective, he said there is a need to systematically unlock the huge economic potentials, especially the vast hinterland areas, for commercial agriculture.
He said Miri Division, with a land area of 26,777 square km, is the second largest division and has great economic potential and comparative advantages that could be sustainably harnessed to generate economic growth and improve the wellbeing of the people in the areas.
“Lab participants should also dwell on how to leverage on these potentials namely oil and gas, tourism, agriculture (oil palm plantation), manufacturing, shipbuilding, timber based, education and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to generate greater growth for Miri Division,” he said.
Lee, who is also the Senadin assemblyman, stressed that sustainable environmental protection must also be included the development planning.
“We are blessed with rare and invaluable flora and fauna, of which if properly developed through research and development using the latest technology, could produce products such as a cure for Covid-19 that is very much in demand by the world market. This certainly could add to our future revenue stream,” he said.
He said in order to develop all the economic potentials, all the necessary enablers must also be put in place including infrastructure, transport, utility, and telecommunication.
“The coverage of water and power supplies, as well as land, river, air and digital connectivity must be extensive and of good quality.”
He said these enablers will provide the much-needed accessibility and connectivity to link the sources of raw materials and production areas to both domestic and export markets.
“We will together deliberate the proposals and recommendations of the lab during the group presentation on Tuesday (Dec 1).
“Thereafter, we will submit the lab output to Abang Johari for his kind consideration and approval especially on the funding required,” he said.
