Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) is one of three agencies formed under Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) – the State authority in charge of infrastructure development, investment and socio-economic programmes within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) region.
The establishment of regional agencies was an idea mooted by the Chief Minister of Sarawak (now Premier of Sarawak) to enable a more focused development through a “bottom-up” approach when it comes to rural development planning, as the Chief Executive Officer of RECODA YBhg. Datuk Haji Ismawi bin Haji Ismuni recounts in an interview with RAKAN Sarawak.
This means driving the participation of relevant stakeholders including grass-root leaders, Resident and District offices, government departments, State Legislative Assembly Members, and Members of Parliament, with the goal of empowering the rural population of Sarawak mainly through the provision of basic infrastructure and implementation of socio-economic initiatives.
NRDA, in particular, was established on 15 March 2018 to spur economic development of the State’s northern districts of Limbang and Lawas in Limbang Division. The region has an area size of 7,790km2, with a population of around 84,600 (est. 2024).
Each regional development agency has its own economic potential, Datuk Haji Ismawi says, requiring different approaches in development planning.
However, he notes that a common denominator between agencies under RECODA is the need to “intensify the development of basic infrastructure so that it is easy for us to explore economic sectors, bring in investment, and upscale socio-economic activities in the area.”
In the case of Limbang and Lawas, RECODA through NRDA is looking to boost these districts’ potential in tourism, agriculture, livestock, and manufacturing, specifically petrochemical industries.
This is being achieved through wide-ranging development projects that have, are being or will be implemented there. To date, NRDA has been carrying out 161 development projects, with 111 projects completed, 34 under construction and the remaining 16 at various stages of pre-implementation.
The high number of projects by NRDA, explains Datuk Haji Ismawi, is attributed to the various socio-economic programmes it is executing, apart from infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, water supply, buildings and recreational facilities.
Some of these projects are implemented under the Federal-funded COMMUNITY@SCORE initiative, such as Projek Bimbingan dan Latihan Penternakan Ikan dalam Sangkar Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan (PNK) Kampung Awat-Awat, Lawas; Projek Industri Parang di Limbang; Program Tanaman Baru Sistem Jejaring dan Hidroponik; and Program Bantuan Persekolahan untuk Komuniti B40 di kawasan SCORE. They focus on promoting “sustainable socio-economic development” among low-income communities living in the NRDA area.
The initiative has benefitted around 350 people from local communities (as of December 2024) through programmes and projects designed to empower entrepreneurship, propel the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, improve related infrastructure and facilities, and emphasise on capacity building to foster sustainable progress and community well-being.
Complementing these efforts, RECODA is driving community development through the Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP), a State-funded initiative aimed at enhancing livelihood opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural areas.
In September 2024, 16 participants engaged in technical visits and knowledge-sharing sessions in Sabah and Brunei with established businesses to explore best practices in agriculture, livestock rearing, and traditional crafts.
SEDP is also in the process of implementing pilot projects to scale up coffee and ikan tahai businesses for 20 participants from various communities in Limbang and Lawas, further strengthening Sarawak’s commitment to economic resilience and sustainable growth.
Of Mega Projects and Master Plans
There will also be mega projects by RECODA aimed at enhancing accessibility within and beyond the NRDA region. The upcoming new Lawas Airport with a 3C code operations, for instance, is expected to replace the current STOLPort due to the latter’s susceptibility to flooding.
The project, set to begin implementation in the fourth quarter of 2025, will feature a 1,790m runway and a 191m taxiway. The airport will also be able to handle up to three ATR 72-500 air-crafts, which can carry 70 passengers each. Once completed, it will significantly improve air connectivity for both residents and businesses in the region, as well as support the local economy.
The Northern Coastal Highway (NCH), according to Datuk Haji Ismawi, is especially crucial in enhancing land connectivity of Limbang and Lawas to the rest of Sarawak, neighbouring state of Sabah, as well as Brunei Darussalam.
With a length of 87.5km, the highway is projected to begin construction this year (2025), and when completed will be connected with other major road networks in Sarawak including the Pan Borneo Highway and the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road.
The NCH will serve as a vital artery, catalysing economic growth, fostering regional connectivity, and unlocking untapped potential of the northern region. It will also create new opportunities for trade and commerce, facilitate the movement of goods and services, and boost tourism by providing direct access to tourism attractions in both coastal and highland areas.
To ensure that development initiatives are implemented systematically and effectively, master plans have been created for various parts of the SCORE region. For NRDA, Action Area Plans for Trusan, Sundar and Merapok in Lawas District have been developed, considering their diverse importance.
Trusan, Datuk Haji Ismawi elaborates, is located not far from ICQS Mengkalap, which borders Labu in Temburong District, Brunei Darussalam.
Because it is the first place visitors encounter upon entering Sarawak through Lawas, RECODA hopes to turn Trusan into a bustling area – where said visitors can buy goods and services to boost the local economy, for example – more so as RECODA will be constructing Trusan’s new Sub-District office in line with the Trusan Action Area Plan.
Meanwhile, Sundar is the site of the new Lawas Airport. This site was chosen for its strategic location after taking into consideration the proposed petrochemical industries around Bukit Sari, towns and settlements as well as road connectivity within Lawas.
Merapok borders Sindumin in Sabah, making it an important town that will link up with the Northern Coastal Highway and the Sabah portion of the Pan Borneo Highway. Datuk Haji Ismawi adds that within the Merapok Action Area Plan, a rest and service area (RSA) is to be established there for travellers to be able to stop and enjoy the services before crossing the border.
References:
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2024). CURRENT POPULATION ESTIMATES, ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT, 2024 – SARAWAK. https://www.dosm.gov.my/uploads/release-content/file_20240905151749.pdf
Five sub-committees to prepare list of NRDA projects. (2018, July 29). The Borneo Post. https://www.theborneopost.com/2018/07/29/five-sub-committees-to-prepare-list-of-nrda-projects/
