LIMBANG: Limbang and Lawas aspire to become major production hubs, particularly for fish farming and paddy cultivation.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, said a total of 6,000 hectares of land has been identified in the Limbang-Lawas area, specifically in Pendam (Limbang) and Sundar (Lawas).
“The Department of Agriculture will continue efforts to identify potential state and NCR lands to achieve the target of 10,000 hectares, with the goal of making Limbang the rice bowl of Sarawak,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) today, officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
To support agro-based industries, he said a collection, processing and packaging centre (CPPC) has been completed in both Limbang and Lawas, along with a mozzarella cheese factory in Maragang that will use local buffalo milk and is expected to begin operations by late 2025 or early 2026.
Dr Abdul Rahman added that tourism continues to be a strong growth sector for Limbang.
In 2024 alone, 1.4 million cross-border movements were recorded through Limbang, and the figure has already exceeded one million as of September 2025.
He said the proposed Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Pendam, which will connect to Lumapas in Brunei, will further strengthen cross-border tourism.
“Once completed, travel time between Bandar Seri Begawan and Limbang will be reduced to just 20-30 minutes compared to over an hour currently,” he said.
He added that several major infrastructure projects are already underway to strengthen connectivity in northern Sarawak, including the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phases 1 and 2 and the Trans Borneo Highway, both funded by the federal government.
These projects are expected to be completed by 2030.
Dr Abdul Rahman said the launch of the NCH project marks a historic milestone for Limbang and Lawas, setting the stage for accelerated infrastructure, economic, and tourism growth in northern Sarawak.
He described the NCH as a transformational project that will enhance connectivity and unlock the full development potential of the region.
He said the RM6.8-billion project, fully funded by the Sarawak Government, reflects the Premier’s visionary leadership and commitment to equitable regional development.
“The Department of Agriculture will continue efforts to identify potential state and NCR lands to achieve the target of 10,000 hectares, with the goal of making Limbang the rice bowl of Sarawak,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) today, officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
To support agro-based industries, he said a collection, processing and packaging centre (CPPC) has been completed in both Limbang and Lawas, along with a mozzarella cheese factory in Maragang that will use local buffalo milk and is expected to begin operations by late 2025 or early 2026.
Dr Abdul Rahman added that tourism continues to be a strong growth sector for Limbang.
In 2024 alone, 1.4 million cross-border movements were recorded through Limbang, and the figure has already exceeded one million as of September 2025.
He said the proposed Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Pendam, which will connect to Lumapas in Brunei, will further strengthen cross-border tourism.
“Once completed, travel time between Bandar Seri Begawan and Limbang will be reduced to just 20-30 minutes compared to over an hour currently,” he said.
He added that several major infrastructure projects are already underway to strengthen connectivity in northern Sarawak, including the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phases 1 and 2 and the Trans Borneo Highway, both funded by the federal government.
These projects are expected to be completed by 2030.
Dr Abdul Rahman said the launch of the NCH project marks a historic milestone for Limbang and Lawas, setting the stage for accelerated infrastructure, economic, and tourism growth in northern Sarawak.
He described the NCH as a transformational project that will enhance connectivity and unlock the full development potential of the region.
He said the RM6.8-billion project, fully funded by the Sarawak Government, reflects the Premier’s visionary leadership and commitment to equitable regional development.