Rajang River tourism urged for Sibu Special Economic Zone plan

SIBU : Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong Branch Chairman, Wong Ching Yong has called for the proposed development of the Rajang River into a major tourism destination to be incorporated into the Sibu Special Economic Zone (SSEZ).

He said the initiative could become a catalyst for economic growth, attract investment and elevate Sibu’s tourism profile.

Welcoming the federal government’s move to initiate formal consultations on the proposed SSEZ following its mention in the 2027 National Budget, Wong said the initiative presented an important opportunity to integrate tourism development into Sibu’s broader economic transformation plans.

He said his recent proposal to develop the Rajang River as a major tourism destination, with the long-term aspiration of securing UNESCO World Natural Heritage status, had received encouraging support, including suggestions that the initiative be incorporated into the SSEZ plan.

“When tabling the 2027 National Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Sarawak Government had expressed its determination to develop the SSEZ.

“In response, the federal government will begin formal consultations to finalise the incentive framework, a one-stop investment facilitation centre and the strategic infrastructure requirements,” he said in a statement today (Oct 11).

Wong, who is also SUPP Central Assistant Publicity and Information Secretary, said tourism could generate substantial economic benefits while raising Sibu’s profile and attracting investment from outside the region.

He hoped the proposed Rajang River tourism destination would be included in the upcoming federal consultations to ensure that tourism formed an integral part of the economic zone’s development strategy.

Wong also pointed out that Federal Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is the Dudong assemblyman, expressing confidence that his position could help secure strong federal support for the Rajang River tourism initiative.

At the same time, he urged Sibu’s two DAP Members of Parliament to put aside political differences and work together at the federal level to advance both the SSEZ and the proposed Rajang River tourism project.

Beyond the economic zone, Wong called on the federal government to support the Bukit Assek redevelopment plan, describing the two initiatives as potentially significant drivers of Sibu’s future economic development.

He said the Bukit Assek redevelopment plan should not be viewed merely as an effort to renovate houses in an ageing neighbourhood, but as an opportunity to address longstanding structural and environmental problems affecting the area.

In particular, he highlighted land subsidence and recurrent flooding in flood-prone areas, saying redevelopment could provide a more comprehensive solution to these persistent problems while improving residents’ living conditions.

He added that the project could also stimulate economic activity, attract investment and create employment opportunities, benefiting both residents and the wider Sibu community.

Commenting on the overall 2027 National Budget, Wong, a chartered accountant by profession, expressed concern over the substantial gap between operating expenditure and development expenditure, warning that the imbalance could constrain the country’s long-term economic growth.

He noted that the budget allocated RM376.8 billion for operating expenditure, accounting for more than 80 per cent of total expenditure, while development expenditure stood at RM83 billion, representing less than 20 per cent.

He described the ratio as unhealthy for a developing country, arguing that greater investment was needed in infrastructure, research and development, and industrial upgrading to strengthen economic competitiveness.

Wong said insufficient development spending could weaken future growth prospects, particularly as emerging economies needed sustained investment to improve productivity and support industrial transformation.

He also warned that if operating expenditure absorbed almost all government revenue, the government could be forced to rely on borrowing to finance infrastructure projects, potentially increasing national debt and widening the fiscal deficit.

Wong also cautioned against repeated minimum wage increases over a short period without corresponding improvements in productivity.

Referring to concerns raised by World Bank Lead Economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, he said wage increases alone could not provide a sustainable solution to income-related issues.

Instead, he stressed that productivity improvements must accompany wage growth to ensure businesses could remain competitive and financially sustainable.

Wong said minimum wage policy should not be driven solely by political popularity, but should take into account employers’ ability to absorb rising labour costs.

“If businesses cannot afford the increases, they may have little choice but to pass the additional costs on to consumers, causing the prices of goods and services to surge.

“They may also reduce hiring or resort to retrenchments. Such outcomes would run completely counter to the original objective of raising incomes and improving people’s livelihoods,” he said.

He agreed with the World Bank expert’s recommendation that the federal government should prioritise productivity improvements through stronger skills training, greater business efficiency and wider adoption of automation.

Wong said a sustainable wage policy required productivity gains to keep pace with rising wages, enabling workers to earn more without placing excessive pressure on businesses or consumers.

On education, Wong welcomed the federal government’s allocation of RM1.3 billion in 2027 to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools, particularly in East Malaysia.

However, he said further clarification was needed on how the allocation would be distributed and which schools would benefit.

He urged Lanang MP, Alice Lau and Sibu MP, Oscar Ling to disclose whether they had submitted lists of schools in Sibu requiring urgent repairs to the Prime Minister or the Education Minister.

He also called on the two MPs to clarify which schools in Sibu were expected to receive funding under the 2027 allocation.

Wong said greater transparency would allow the public to assess whether Sibu’s urgent school infrastructure needs had been communicated to the federal government and whether the budget allocation would adequately address them.

He stressed that clear information on the selection of schools and the distribution of funds was important to ensure that the allocation translated into tangible improvements for students and teachers.