(Only available in English version)

BINTULU: Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), being the only local government that has autonomous power in Sarawak, has the capacity to transform Bintulu into a bright star for the central region of the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said in just 40 years BDA has brought big changes to the development landscape of Bintulu.

“In the spirit of unity, in the next 40 years Bintulu will continue to be developed and congratulations to BDA on its 40th anniversary. On behalf of Sarawak government and BDA board members, I would like to thank the BDA management and staff from the beginning of its establishment till today for your excellent services in BDA,” said Abang Johari, who is the chairman of BDA, during BDA’s 40th anniversary dinner at Dinner World Restaurant here on Saturday.

Among those attending the dinner were Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Bintulu member of parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, BDA general manager Rodziah Morshidi, BDA board members, local community leaders, BDA senior officers and their spouses.

Abang Johari noted in 40 years BDA had transformed the Bintulu landscape significantly from a small village into a bigger town with a population of about 251,000 people now.

“This means BDA under the leadership of the previous leaders since 1978 till today has contributed to the development in the central region.

“I have been given a feedback that Bintulu is the most structured city in Sarawak, in the aspect of well-organised development and the people-friendly facilities consist of its green scenery and building arrangement,” he said.

Abang Johari thus extended his gratitude to former chief ministers Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub for opening up Bintulu, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his enormous contribution in further developing Bintulu with the setting up of Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) and Samalaju Industrial Park and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem for his strong and united government.

These great leaders, he said, were the ones who had developed Bintulu to what it is today, which gives him a better platform to continue their efforts in further developing this oil and gas town.

He said in the next 40 years, Bintulu should be able to move forward and become a more structured city in Malaysia.

“The reason is Bintulu has the resources, Bintulu has the advantages over the other parts, so if Bintulu is developed on the same pattern as a structured city, in future it will become something that is like a star in the region,” Abang Johari added.

Bintulu, he said, has benefited from its natural resources, but the resources alone cannot develop the area.

“If we look at Japan and Korea, they have no resources but still have a strong economic structure because of creativity and vision of their leaders,” he opined.

Abang Johari said an iconic bridge over the Kemena river linking Bintulu to Jepak area which will be constructed next year will become a landmark in Bintulu.

He said in the long term, Jepak area will be a new township that could attract tourists as more projects will be implemented on the other side of the Kemena river in efforts to make Bintulu a unique city in Sarawak.

“With Kidurong and Samalaju and here we will have another attraction. I believe we can add to the resources that Bintulu has with certain vision in terms of tourism and services sector, people will come, we can move other sectors as we develop Bintulu,” he said.

Earlier, Rodziah said BDA has set up a welfare fund for its staff with a starting grant of RM600,000.

Later, Abang Johari announced that Sarawak government will contribute RM400,000 to the welfare fund.