KUCHING: The state government through Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) has approved a total of more than 600 development projects amounting to RM1, 446 million since the agency was established in November, 2018.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said of the more than 600 projects approved, about 200 projects had been completed.
“IRSDA, as an agency, will continue to develop the infrastructure needed such as roads, electric and water supply to boost the growth of the people socio-economy and Samarahan as a whole,” he pointed out at the launch of IRSDA at Raia Hotel here today.
He said IRSDA was focusing on four main developments, namely, infrastructure, social development, agriculture and workforce/ labour.
Abang Johari said the development of the Samarahan areas started since the leadership of Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, focusing on the agriculture sector.
“But the development was in stages because during that time, they encountered constraints in money allocations and the developments depended on the federal ministry (Rural Ministry),
“And when I took over the leadership, I noticed that there was still no water supply in the area as well as in Sadong Jaya. The infrastructure development did not reach the villagers and that was why we needed to plan the development as a whole and implement it.
“But we needed money. Thus during the 2nd anniversary of the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council, I decided to establish IRSDA with an allocation of RM1.5 billion for it to implement the development projects,” he said.
Also present during the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and chairman of IRSDA Steering Committee Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi and others.
