Special Master Plan To Develop Remote Areas In Sarawak

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=568240&cat=sre

March 03, 2011 18:12 PM

Special Master Plan To Develop Remote Areas In Sarawak

BINTULU, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government is drawing up special master plans to develop Hulu Baram and Kapit, two remote areas in the state, as tourist destinations, said Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Thursday.

He said the master plans would focus on tourism based on culture and the environment in the areas concerned.

Rais said a special committee chaired by him would be formed to carry out a comprehensive study on the plans.

"The study would begin after the conclusion of the state election while implementation would start during the 10th Malaysia Plan period," he told reporters after opening a seminar on Development and Leadership for Community Leaders, here.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Land Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Masing and Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit would be among the members of the special committee, he said.

Taib, who is also Sarawak Planning and Resource Management Minister, said community leaders in Hulu Baram and Kapit would also be absorbed into the committee.

He said the plans would benefit residents in the two areas which were lagging behind in terms of development compared to Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching.

He said both areas had unique cultural history as they were the earliest settlements for the Orang Ulu and Iban ethnic groups in Sarawak that could attract the tourists.

The benefits derived from the plans might not be felt in the early years of their development but would be enjoyed 20 years from now, he added.

-- BERNAMA