LAWAS: The Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) reaffirmed its commitment to implementing inclusive, sustainable, and high-impact development in Lawas and Limbang under the framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Sarawak Deputy Premier and NRDA Chairman, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said development efforts will not solely focus on large-scale projects but will also prioritise practical and inclusive development that addresses the real needs of the people.

“We are not only planning large-scale projects. What matters most is that these development initiatives truly benefit the people,” he said during the Opening Ceremony of the 13MP Projects and Programmes Proposal Lab for the Northern Region, held here on Wednesday.

The lab, which serves as a key platform to coordinate development planning in the region for the next five years, was attended by over 100 participants including Members of Parliament, Assemblymen, senior government officials, and representatives from development agencies.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah further explained that the 13MP will be guided by three core principles, namely Recover, Build, and Renew.

He said these principles aim to address project implementation delays, strengthen existing initiatives, and introduce new, competitive, and forward-looking programmes.

He added that NRDA’s implementation of the 13MP will adopt a comprehensive approach, including Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM), Results-Based Budgeting, and Value at Entry to ensure transparency, efficiency, and maximum impact for the rakyat.

Meanwhile, the lab also reviewed a variety of proposed developments, including those in education, healthcare, commercial agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and essential infrastructure, all aligned with the aspirations of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

Among the key priorities discussed were enhancing connectivity through projects such as the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), Northern Coastal Highway (NCH), and the Trans-Borneo Highway.

Furthermore, plans include the development of a New Lawas Airport, the proposed Deep-Sea Port in Lawas to support industrial growth including the petrochemical sector, as well as cross-border cooperation with Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, and North Kalimantan to advance regional development. -UKASnews