BELAWAI: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the state government will conduct a study to extend the Tanjung Manis Airport.
He said that the study will be conducted to allow bigger planes, which can accommodate up to 90 passengers, to land at the airport.
“We will conduct the study and announce the cost later. It will become a gateway to this delta region and also Matu,” he added.
The chief minister also said that the agricultural sector will be improved as the plane can transport the produces to international markets.
In the meantime, he emphasised that the state government will continue to build roads from Sarikei to Tanjung Manis and construct the Batang Lassa bridge.
“It will shorten the travel duration to Tanjung Manis once it is completed … which only takes 40 minutes.”
Abang Johari also emphasised on two sectors to further develop Belawai and Sarawak as a whole.
“The two sectors, which are agriculture and tourism, are the economic potential of a particular area and can be further developed.
“What you can do is to improve the infrastructure in this area. There is an airport here but the runway needs to be expanded,” he said when officiating at the Belawai Beach Carnival here yesterday.
On tourism, the chief minister said Belawai has a very good attraction which is its long beach.
“What you need to provide is power and water supply. These are the two that we are doing now with the allocation given.
“Tanjung Manis is connected to all the areas in the delta region. It is actually a very alluvial soil and depends on how you manage the soil,” he explained.
When asked about Sarawak becoming a developed state by the year 2030, he said that it still remains as a target.
“If we can achieve it earlier, it would be better. That means we will have the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.
“The plans have to be geared to fulfill Sarawak’s needs. By then, our infrastructure would almost be completed either by the year 2022 or 2023,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s priority was to develop its infrastructure, physical and cyber, in order to enhance its connectivity and spread the development statewide.
Also present was Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
