Sarawak eyes 2050 plan to spread jobs, services and growth beyond major cities

Sarawak is considering implementing the Sarawak Urban Development Policy 2050 to guide long-term urban and settlement planning, ensuring balanced development across major cities, smaller towns, and rural areas.

The policy, as stated by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, is designed to align with statutory plans and infrastructure programs to achieve economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.

By aiming for a strong settlement system that connects urban centers to their surrounding regions, Sarawak emphasizes providing appropriate services, connectivity, and economic opportunities.

The focus remains on coordinated strategic planning with measurable outcomes, ultimately benefiting the people with improved services and living conditions.

PETALING JAYA, Nov 5 — Sarawak is considering a long-term urban development policy through 2050 to guide settlement planning and ensure balanced development across major cities, smaller towns and rural areas.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed Sarawak Urban Development Policy 2050 would provide long-term direction for the state's urban and settlement system, taking into account its vast geographical landscape and diverse communities.

He said the policy should be aligned with statutory plans, development decisions, infrastructure programmes and accountable delivery arrangements to ensure that strategic planning translates into effective implementation.

“Through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, we seek to advance economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability as mutually reinforcing objectives,” he said.

He said this during his closing keynote address titled “Leadership for Better Cities: Our Shared Responsibility”, at the 11th National Planning Congress 2026, Dewan Sivik Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, here today.

Elaborating further, Abang Johari said Sarawak recognised the importance of developing a strong settlement system that connected urban centres with their surrounding regions.

“Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and our growing towns should play complementary roles in providing services, employment and economic opportunity,” he added.

Abang Johari said development planning should also take into account the different needs of smaller towns, riverine settlements, rural communities and interior areas.

He noted the state should not expect every settlement to become a metropolitan centre, but instead ensure that each had access to appropriate services, connectivity and economic opportunities.

He emphasised that strategic plans must guide land use, transport, housing, public facilities and environmental protection in a coordinated manner, with clear outcomes, responsible agencies and the necessary resources for implementation.

“We do not claim to have solved every challenge...but we believe consistent policy direction, institutional cooperation and a commitment to measurable outcomes provide the foundation for progress,” he said.

Abang Johari said the true measure of development was whether it delivered tangible benefits to the people, such as shorter journeys to work, better homes, more reliable public services, safer neighbourhoods and lower household expenses. — Bernama

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砂拉越正在考虑实施《砂拉越城市发展政策 2050》，以指导长期的城市和居民区规划，确保主要城市、小城镇和农村地区均衡发展。

正如首相丹斯里阿邦佐哈里·敦·奥本所言，该政策旨在与法定计划和基础设施项目保持一致，以实现经济繁荣、社会包容和环境可持续性。

砂拉越致力于建立强大的居民点体系，将城市中心与其周边地区连接起来，强调提供适当的服务、交通连接和经济机会。

重点仍然是制定协调一致的战略规划，并取得可衡量的成果，最终通过改善服务和生活条件使人民受益。

八打灵再也，11月5日讯——砂拉越正在考虑一项到2050年的长期城市发展政策，以指导城镇规划，并确保主要城市、小城镇和农村地区均衡发展。

砂拉越州首相丹斯里阿邦佐哈里表示，拟议的《2050年砂拉越城市发展政策》将为该州的城市和居住系统提供长期方向，同时考虑到其广阔的地理景观和多元化的社区。

他表示，该政策应与法定计划、发展决策、基础设施计划和负责任的交付安排保持一致，以确保战略规划转化为有效实施。

他表示：“通过《2030 年后新冠疫情发展战略》，我们力求推进经济繁荣、社会包容和环境可持续性，并将这三者作为相互促进的目标。”

他今天在八打灵再也市政厅举行的 2026 年第十一届全国规划大会上发表了题为“引领更美好的城市：我们共同的责任”的闭幕主题演讲，并发表了上述讲话。

阿邦佐哈里进一步阐述说，砂拉越认识到发展强大的居民点系统，将城市中心与其周边地区连接起来的重要性。

他补充说：“古晋、诗巫、民都鲁、美里以及我们不断发展的城镇应该在提供服务、就业和经济机会方面发挥互补作用。”

阿邦佐哈里表示，发展规划还应考虑到小城镇、河岸居民点、农村社区和内陆地区的不同需求。

他指出，国家不应期望每个居民点都成为都市中心，而应确保每个居民点都能获得适当的服务、交通和经济机会。

他强调，战略规划必须以协调一致的方式指导土地利用、交通运输、住房、公共设施和环境保护，并明确成果、责任机构和必要的实施资源。

“我们并不声称已经解决了所有挑战……但我们相信，一致的政策方向、机构合作以及对可衡量成果的承诺，为进步奠定了基础，”他说。

阿邦佐哈里表示，衡量发展的真正标准在于它是否为人民带来实实在在的好处，例如缩短通勤时间、改善住房条件、提高公共服务可靠性、增强社区安全以及降低家庭开支。——马新社

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