Datuk Roland Sagah
THE creation of a dedicated regional development agency for Sarawak’s southern region is now being considered, said Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He pointed out the Bidayuh Belt – which stretches from Lundu to Serian (southern region) – was a strategic agricultural growth hinterland within the greater Kuching development area.
“It cannot be denied that the establishment of a dedicated regional development agency will definitely accelerate the pace of agriculture development within the southern region.
“As such, the government is considering getting the Sarawak Land Development Board to play that role to spearhead agricultural and tourism activities within the southern region.
“This Bidayuh Belt is also identified as durian belt due to its soil suitability for this crop,” he said in reply to Dato Henry Harry Jinep (GPS – Tasik Biru) at the State Legislative Assembly today.
To a supplementary question by Henry, Sagah said the government is ready to consider an Agropark in Tasik Biru constituency if there was availability of suitable land.
He also revealed that a Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) for Tasik Biru had already been established at Pejiru.
“Throughout Sarawak, there are already four TKPMs and three Agroparks that have been implemented and identified,” he said.
Meanwhile, the august House was also told that there was no plan to upgrade the Serian Mini Sports Complex.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, in reply to John Ilus (GPS – Bukit Semuja), said the ministry also has no plans to build a new indoor stadium of international standard in Serian.
“When there is a need and demand, the government will come up with such proposal in the future based on priority,” he said.
To a supplementary question, he said the mini sports complex in Serian was in fact upgraded in 2014 at the cost of RM3.08 million to make it comparable to other mini sports complexes.
He also said the upcoming Serian Conference Centre to be built at Serian New Township will also have the capacity to hold bigger events.