SIBU: A total of 11 state constituencies in Sarikei and Mukah will benefit from the establishment of the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA) Development Plan.
RADDA will cover about 11,000 square kilometers involving a total population of almost 300,000 people.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the RADDA development plan will drive balanced development in all the constituencies involved.
“It is in line with the Sarawak government’s desire to ensure that no area is left out of the flow of development,” he said at the RADDA Development Lab press conference here today (August 1).
The Kuala Rajang assemblyman also said that the establishment of the agency is one of the government’s strategic steps to realise comprehensive development specifically in the Rajang Delta.
“Not only that, the establishment of RADDA is very important to strengthen the agencies involved in implementing the agenda centred on the planned development of the people,” he said.
Len noted that the establishment of RADDA was inspired by the successful establishment of the Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA), the Highlands Development Agency (HDA), and the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), and the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA).
“This includes the Greater Kuching Coordination Development Agency (GKCDA) which has focused on balanced and holistic development in the area,” he said.
Len said that the RADDA Development Lab is very important as it is used to prepare a draft of the working paper on RADDA which is needed to be ready by the end of August and later presented at the Cabinet meeting on September 27.
“With the approval of the Cabinet, the agency will be officially established,” he said.
Len also said that the establishment of RADDA is proof of the Sarawak government’s seriousness in improving the standard of living of the people in all aspects.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had earlier announced the establishment of RADDA at the 15th PBB Triennial General Meeting at the Borneo Convention Center Kuching (BCCK).
He said that the agency will be chaired by Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Abang Johari also said that for the Betong area, another similar agency will be established.
“I will ask Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to determine the boundaries of the area and this includes the Kabong, Kalaka, and Maludam areas,” he said.
Abang Johari also allocated a total of RM1.5 billion funds for RADDA to carry out the development plan.
The three-day (August 1 to 3) RADDA Development Lab involves 200 participants from various ministries, agencies, government departments, and community leaders (KMKK) from the Sarikei and Mukah Divisions.
Also present were the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Office (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Sarawak Communications Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Pakan assemblyman, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Meradong assemblyman, Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, Meluan assemblyman, Roland Duat Jubin and others.
