Beyond a Knowledge Hub
Mention the name ‘Samarahan’ and many would associate the division with being the ‘Hub of Knowledge’ referring to the tertiary education institutions that have established themselves there, most notably Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Institute of Teacher Education Tun Abdul Razak Campus (IPTAR).
These institutions, have transformed the socioeconomic landscape of Samarahan, as the people’s sources of income have shifted from agricultural produce to human capital through the younger generation.
The people of Samarahan can now obtain higher education qualifications and subsequently better jobs. This in turn increases their spending capability.
However, Samarahan Division’s economy features more than these tertiary education institutions, which are located within what the division administration refers to as ‘Samarahan Proper’ cluster – the newer part of Samarahan District that focuses on commercial, industrial and education development.
As part of their strategic development plan to transform Samarahan into a major contributor to Sarawak’s economy, the division is divided into four clusters: the aforementioned Samarahan Proper; Old Samarahan, which focuses on rural development among traditional villages in the division; Asajaya and Sebuyau, which are expected to be an agriculture hub; and Simunjan, which has the potential of becoming a tourist
destination.
A leading food hub in Sarawak
“It is the vision of (Sarawak State Government) to turn Samarahan into a leading food hub in Sarawak,” said Samarahan Resident, Tuan Haji Brahim Lumpu.
While agriculture has been part and parcel of the division’s economy, the Government intends to add value to the sector by expanding it beyond the production stage into processing and marketing, be it agriculture produce or agro-based products.
“We hope that (the agriculture transformation) will be able to boost farmers’ income from RM900 a month to between RM3000 to RM4000 a month,” Tuan Haji Brahim elaborated, adding that this goal could be made possible through the collaboration between the government and the people of Samarahan.
So far, around 2,000 acres of land in Sadong Jaya in Asajaya District have been identified for development as an agropark be designed as the largest pineapple plantation complex in Sarawak.
Based on the information provided by Public Works Department (JKR) Samarahan, the agropark is expected to comprise facilities such as a collection, processing and packaging centre (CPPC) and a research and development (R&D) building.
Also in the works are a wholesale market and collection centre that will be constructed at Samarahan Industrial Estate, Samarahan, and a Sarawak State Farmers’ Organisation (PPNS) branch in Kota Samarahan.
Under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), a project to build and repair the coastal protection between Sebangan and Sebuyau in Simunjan District will be implemented to ensure no saltwater intrusion into the area and subsequently enable the people in the area to utilise the peatlands for agricultural activities.
Exploring the tourism sector
Agriculture may be the primary economic sector for Simunjan District, but efforts are being made to establish Simunjan as a tourist attraction.
A highly potential tourism product is Gunung Ngeli, which aside from having its own recreation park and waterfall, possesses remnants from Simunjan’s coal mining era, including mine tunnels, railway tracks and a ‘Boiler’ that is located near Simunjan District Council building.
Gunung Ngeli has a history of coal mining operations that began in the second half of the 19th century during the Brooke era up until the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Other possible tourism sites, as listed by Simunjan District Office, include Danau Propok Jaya at Kampung Propok Jaya; Sungai Rias Kepayang and Wong Muas at Kampung Kepayang; and Batu Kudik at Kampung Semalatong.
In the meantime, the landscape of Simunjan town is being enhanced with the beautification of villages along its main road, additional rest-houses that are managed by both district office and local council, and the development of a waterfront.
According to Simunjan District Officer Mr Abdul Khalid Manap, the waterfront project is implemented in three phases, with Phase 1 involving the construction of a botanical park completed this year and the remaining phases focusing on the development of a boat ramp, erosion barriers and an esplanade.
By transforming Simunjan into a tourist destination, economic diversification will be made possible for rural communities who hope to generate more income, particularly those involved in the handicraft business and homestay operations.
An education hub for all
The education sector will remain an important economic driver for Samarahan, considering that various education and training centres, as well as research institutions are located in the division.
Still, for Tuan Haji Brahim, primary and secondary schools play a vital role in developing Samarahan’s human capital academically from an early stage, especially in rural areas.
At present, there are over 100 primary and secondary schools in the division, of which nearly two fifths are categorised as dilapidated and in need of repairs and upgrades.
“If these schools cannot produce excellent students, then our goal to prosper the rural communities may be affected, because an individual’s level of education can affect the socioeconomic situation of a family.
“So we want the quality of our schools to be improved both in terms of education and physical landscape so that they are on par with schools in urban areas,” said the Samarahan Resident who is confident that the establishment of the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research will be able to address this issue and uplift the standard of education in the state.
(Article first published in RAKAN Sarawak April -June 2019 Issue)
