To ensure effective facilitation and monitoring of project deliveries in Betong Division, the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) has established working committees within the organisation.
Its chairman and Deputy Premier of Sarawak YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stated that these committees and their role in assessing all projects for implementation is vital to guarantee no duplication with those being carried out by other government agencies and departments, and support a more structured and timely development in the division.
To begin with, each of them is expected to propose detailed work plans and cash flows programmes for their proposed projects.
“We can then forward our project requests to the State Financial Secretary for the fund. We must not forget we are not the only regional development agencies bidding for the fund.
“The more organised and systematic we are in the presentation of our budget, the more likely we are able to get the funding fast,” said the Deputy Premier during the second lab session on BDDA Development Strategy 2030 in Kuching in early October 2022.
Formerly known as Betong Integrated Development Agency or BIDA, BDDA comprises constituencies of Layar, Bukit Saban, Saribas, Beting Maro, Lingga, Kalaka and Krian.
The regional development agency is led by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, with his deputies being Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Youth and Sports Development) YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, and Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development (Community Well-being Development) YB Encik Ricky @ Mohammad Razi bin Sitam.
Around RM1.5 billion has been allocated to coordinate and accelerate infrastructure and socio-economic development projects under BDDA, especially in expanding income-generating economic activities in high-potential areas such as modern agriculture and tourism, and strengthening human capital by producing graduates and professional in diverse fields.
The aforementioned second lab session followed various other meetings and discussions that had taken place since its formation in June 2022, whether among participating federal and state representatives and government officials, or with the grass-roots.
Speaking at the session, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah expressed the need to drive the participation of local communities in development projects and programmes in Betong Division.
This, he noted, would require the utmost commitment of grass-root leaders and government officers from implementing agencies to rise to this challenge, so that BDDA would be able to support the acceleration of the division’s growth to its optimum level.
“Come 2030, we want the people (in Betong Division) to achieve a high-income status where they enjoy a high standard of living that is at par with other advanced communities.
“This can come about if we can fully utilise their lands, harness their readiness and willingness to work hard for success and accept new policies in doing things which will revolve around new technologies,” he said.
BDDA Working Committees
There are seven working committees under BDDA, each is chaired by state representatives of constituencies in Betong Division:
| Working Committee | Chairperson |
| Infrastructure Development | YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu (Layar assemblyman) |
| Social Development | YB Encik Ricky @ Mohammad Razi bin Sitam (Saribas assemblyman) |
| Agriculture Development | YB Encik Friday anak Belik (Krian assemblyman) |
| Industrial and Commercial Development | YB Tuan Haji Razaili bin Haji Gapor (Beting Maro assemblyman) |
| Utilities and Telecommunications | YB Tuan Haji Mohamad bin Duri (Kalaka assemblyman) |
| Tourism and Environment | YB Encik Mohamad Chee bin Kadir (Kabong assemblyman) |
| Women | YB Puan Dayang Noorazah bte Awang Sohor (Lingga assemblywoman) |
Source: The Borneo Post
