Muhyiddin takes two remote villages under his wings, pledges federal support for Baram Growth Node


Muhyiddin (second left) taking a closer look at a development map after attending a briefing on Baram Growth Node by Jabu (second right). Also seen are Abang Johari (left) and Ose. – Bernama photo

MIRI: Penan village Long Bruang and Kelabit village Long Peluan Baram in the interior of Baram get to receive special attention from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“I am adopting these two villages as test bed for socio-economic development for villages in remote or rural areas in Baram and Sarawak in particular,” Muhyiddin said after attending a briefing on the Baram Growth Node by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang at Miri Marriott Resort & Spa here before embarking on a working visit to Limbang yesterday.

Muhyiddin said three aspects of development for the two villages would be given priority – namely income, healthcare and education.

“Hopefully I can get progress report on these two particular villages and Baram Growth Node on quarterly basis.

“From the report, we will be able to see what the federal government can do to assist and support this development project,” he told reporters.

He also said the federal government would give its full support to the development of Baram Growth Node that has been earmarked for the Integrated Highland Agriculture Station (IHAS) which covers the two villages.

He suggested that the Economic Planning Unit and Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) work together on this.

Although the development corridor appeared to be focused on Long Bruang and Long Peluan, Muhyiddin said: “This does not mean that I am not giving attention to other villages…I want to see rural areas in Sarawak be given a bit of boost.”

He said the Baram Growth Node will be agro and bio-based, in which one or two bio nexus companies are expected to invest.

Baram constitutes one of the five growth nodes under SCORE. Others are Samalaju, Mukah, Tanjung Manis and Tunoh.

In the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), Recoda together with state Department of Agriculture will develop the Integrated Highland Agriculture Station (IHAS) as one of trigger projects for Baram Growth Node.

The federal government will extend its full support to develop this station while initial funding of RM6 million had been provided for the construction of access and farm roads.

After the briefing, Muhyiddin announced a grant of RM1 million to rebuild two bridges swept by flood early this year.

Others present at the briefing were Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang and Recoda chief executive officer Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandut.