LAWAS: The Sarawak government has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to rural development and educational empowerment, with Lawas poised to become a key growth driver in the northern region of the state.

Speaking at the official opening of the Beyond Waves & Dance Rhythms Festival 2025 at the Lawas Waterfront on Saturday, Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, unveiled a series of strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the socio-economic landscape of the area.

Among the major announcements was a new state policy that will take effect next year, whereby Sarawakian students enrolled in state-owned universities will no longer be required to pay tuition fees, as the cost will be fully borne by the Sarawak government.

“We want our children—including those in Lawas—to access quality education without financial barriers. Education and skills are the cornerstones of progress,” he stressed.

In addition, the Deputy Premier, who also serves as the Bukit Sari Assemblyman, shared updates on several infrastructure projects, including the development of a MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) in Lawas, the near-completion of a Centexs skills training centre, and planned upgrades to roads, bridges, the airport, deep-sea port, water supply systems, electricity, and telecommunications.

“Although we are in the north, we will not be left behind. With abundant natural resources and strong community spirit, Lawas has the potential to advance significantly,” he added.

The event, which drew a festive and multicultural crowd from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei, was also attended by Lawas Member of Parliament, Dato Henry Sum Agong.

Festival highlights included the exhilarating Lawas Dragon Boat Race, cultural dance performances, and a local food fair—celebrating the region’s diverse heritage while driving local economic activity through the participation of small traders and food entrepreneurs.

In conjunction with the event, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also presented prizes to winners of the Lawas Dragon Boat Race 2025, with the Landas Azam Kasihnya Warisan team emerging as champion, taking home RM5,000 and a trophy.

Organised by the Lawas Chinese Community Welfare, Cultural and Expedition Association, the festival was hailed as a vital platform for promoting unity, strengthening the local economy, and raising Lawas’s profile as a regional tourism destination. -UKASnews