KUCHING: Highlanders in the northern region will soon benefit from major development, with greater connectivity and enhanced infrastructure in the pipeline.
This was announced by Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, during the launching of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) today.
“We are going to upgrade the infrastructure in Baram as well as at the highland area, which cost a lot of funds,” he added.
“You will have a major access to highland areas through this major highway that will be from Kuching up to Miri, connected to Marudi straight to the highland and Limbang-Lawas areas.”
Abang Johari said the plan would be implemented under the first phase of the post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 which focuses on infrastructure development.
He added that the highland and hinterland, where the Orang Ulus live, have the economic potential to produce food for export and for tourism packages.
Meanwhile, OUCCI President, Datuk Mutang Tagal, in his welcoming address, thanked the state government for the RM10 million seed funding to get the chamber up and running.
“The birth of the Chamber is the pride of our community. Despite being a smaller group, our aspiration to be on par with the most established communities is high. The Chamber is a platform for us to catch up with the rest,” said Mutang.
Registered in 2019, the launching of OUCCI was initially scheduled to be in February of this year, but was postponed due to the ongoing movement restriction measures.
It aims to create a community of progressive and successful Orang Ulu entrepreneurs as well as to act as an umbrella body on behalf of their business community.
