(Miri, 6th) Deputy Minister of Sarawak Premier's Department, Dato Abdul Rahman Junaidi, reminded the Highland Development Agency (HDA) and related units to properly plan future operational and maintenance budgets, as well as human resources at the preliminary stage of projects, to ensure they are not left idle or abandoned due to resource shortages after completion.
He also sternly warned that all contractors who have received the letter of appointment (LOA) must commence on-site construction within 30 days, or face enforcement actions. He emphasized that each implementing agency must take responsibility and strictly ensure the implementation of this directive.
Dato Abdul Rahman made this statement during his visit to the Highland Development Agency office in Miri and chaired a work briefing meeting.
The briefing was held today from 10 AM to 12 PM, attended by 24 people, including the Regional Director of the Highland Development Agency, Juang Oubie, Director of the Sarawak Implementing Monitoring Unit (SIMU), Hacja Sabaiya, representative of the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Frida Galah, officers from various technical and supervisory units, and representatives from Miri Division, Baram, Marudi, and Beluru Districts.
This visit is one of Dato Abdul Rahman’s visits to one of the nine Regional Development Agencies (RDA) in Sarawak from May 5th to 16th, aimed at strengthening coordination and cooperation with each RDA, and to understand project execution progress and challenges faced. Other visited RDAs include Northern Sarawak Regional Development Agency (NRDA), Rajang Central Region Development Agency (MiRRDA), Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), Bintulu Regional Development Agency (BDDA), Sibu Development Agency (SADA), Samarahan Integrated Regional Development Agency (IRSDA), and Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
Dato Abdul Rahman also announced the establishment of a "Special Committee" led by himself to coordinate and supervise the progress and issues faced during project execution by each RDA. The committee members will include all RDA units and relevant technical departments and agencies, including the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Implementing Monitoring Unit (SIMU).
He pointed out that the RDA is established to accelerate regional development, and each project proposal can be approved by its respective steering committee without having to report to the central agency layer by layer. Subsequently, projects are handed over to relevant technical units such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Agriculture Department (DOA), Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), local governments, and statutory bodies for execution.
He called on all RDA and relevant execution and supervisory units to strengthen collaboration to ensure that all projects are completed on schedule with high quality, bringing substantial development benefits to the people. This aligns with the long-term goals of the Sarawak government to promote balanced urban and rural regional development and improve public service efficiency.