
Under
the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) Ordinance 1978, the BDA was
established to serve as the government agency to take charge of physical
planning and development in Bintulu, an area declared to be a designated
area of BDA, now also known as the Bintulu Division of Sarawak.
The
BDA was formed following the discovery of huge reserves of natural gas
and oil off-shore of Bintulu. The development of this natural resource
in Bintulu warranted a central body that not only coordinates the development
projects but can aslo implement projects on its own. Hence, on July
8, 1978, the BDA was created to undertake these roles.