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LIMBANG | Sarawak | District, Division & Town

44K views 66 replies 18 participants last post by  Boggleboy 
#1 ·
Anyone has photos of Limbang & nearby Brunei?
 
#7 ·
till now, only one pic?? :D
 
#9 ·
New dam to be built in Limbang
Sunday August 19, 2007
TheStar


MIRI: Another multi-million ringgit hydro-electric power generation dam is to be constructed in Sarawak – this time in the northernmost division of Limbang.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud announced the state government’s decision to build the dam during his visit to Lawas on Friday, saying that the dam was vital for the economic future of the northern corridor of Sarawak.

The proposed dam was to be built across the Limbang River and its total cost, generation capacity and period of construction were being worked out, he said when launching the Lawas Festival in the border town.

“We will discuss the possibility of a joint venture with the Brunei Government. Power generated from the dam in Limbang will be used to meet the needs of the people of Limbang and Lawas. The extra power will be sold to Brunei and Sabah. This dam will help to enhance the development of the entire northern belt of Borneo,” he said.

Taib, who is also State Minister for Planning and Resources Management and State Finance Minister, said the project was vital due to the anticipated surge in demand for hydro-energy in this state and in the neighbouring regions.

He stressed that there was a need to prepare enough sources of cheap electricity as oil prices were expected to surge even further in future and lead to higher fuel costs.

“More electrical energy will be needed in this region in the near future because of the expansion of the housing and construction sectors and the opening up of more oil palm plantations and other industrial projects.

“Northern Sarawak is earmarked for the second wave of development that will focus on infrastructure enhancement,” he noted.

Taib said the Government had allocated about RM800mil as development funds for Lawas district under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, apart from having approved plans to build a new airport and water port to cater for future expansion of socio-economic projects in the town and its surroundings.

Limbang and Lawas towns have a combined population of about 80,000, with most of them involved in commercial trading, agriculture and fishing.
 
#11 ·
Limbang no longer a sin city
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Comment by STEPHEN THEN
TheStar


LIMBANG: There was a time when Limbang town in northern-most Sarawak was known as the place for those seeking the pleasures of the flesh.

This town was said to be comparable to some of those sex-trade centres in Thailand and Indo-China, so much so that Limbang was given the dubious distinction of being the “sin-capital” of Sarawak.






Sign of progress: The three-star Purnama Hotel in the heart of Limbang
caters to tourist, businessmen, government officials and plays host to
social events.



Prostitutes could be found almost everywhere, bravely plying their trade on five-foot ways and street corners and hardworking girls were known to have brought in a four figure income.

Over the past decade, things have changed. The government, the enforcement authorities and the police have come down hard on these prostitution rings. .

Even though there are still underground prostitution networks, the situation is not as blatantly wanton as it was before.

The local and state authorities had indeed put in great effort to change the image of this town, which is sandwiched between the two borders of Brunei.

There were no more prostitutes brazenly soliciting for clients. . The sleazy motels and sex dens on the top floors of shoplots have been closed down.






Traditional: The native market in Limbang
caters to both locals and Brunei folks.




New blocks of office buildings and commercial complexes had sprouted in the town centre, where 10 years ago there were only a handful of old shop blocks.

Contemporary eateries have sprung up all over town, the riverfront eateries were upgraded, a three-star multi-storey hotel had been built and the roads widened.

New residential estates are coming up, and there is a new airport to boost travel.

The population of Limbang had also grown, from about 30,000 in 1990 to about 40,000 now.

Traffic congestion is starting to creep in, a sure sign of progress!

More visitors are visiting Limbang from neighbouring Brunei. In fact, Limbang, with its spread of seafood, local agricultural produce and quaint Kedayan-Malay villages can be turned into a weekend getaway to attract folks from Brunei, just like what Johor Baru is for Singaporeans.

Limbang state assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Hussein said the town did have tourism potential, but needed the development push.

“We have big plans for Limbang. We want to develop more industries and agricultural estates, improve our tourism and shopping potential because Bandar Seri Begawan (the capital of Brunei) is only 45 minutes away.

“In comparison, Miri is two hours away. Limbang should be able to overtake Miri as the prime destination for folks from Brunei if we can develop all our potential,” he said.

Brunei folks are drawn to Limbang because things are cheaper here. The exchange rate is a Brunei dollar to RM2.20.

They tuck into the local fare of ikan pahai (a type of smoked fish found only in Limbang, it is crispy and usually eaten with porridge), umbut (a type of jungle fern grown locally, best eaten with sambal belacan) and kanji (a processed beef meat dish).

The Brunei folks also love to buy the Bario rice (a type of fragrant rice) home. It only costs them RM5 a kilo here compared to 15 Brunei dollars per kilo back in their country.

The state government is also trying hard to offer water and electricity facilities to all parts of Limbang division.

There is also commitment to eradicate the pockets of poverty, especially in the outskirts of town.

The chase for development, however, should not strip Limbang of its old world charm.

This town still has the “kampung feeling” and, in the evening, one can see beautiful sunsets here.




Glorious view: With sunsets like this, it's no wonder that Limbang
is shedding its sin city tag and picking up a reputation as a tourist spot.
- By STEPHEN THEN /THE STAR


Malay and Kedayan-Malay villages still dot the banks of the Limbang River, giving the place a quaint atmosphere.

The Kedayans are direct descendents of the Brunei Malays because Limbang was once part of the Brunei sultanate, before the Brooke family conquered it.

Limbang has great potential to be a tourism hub and also as a transit link to Sabah. The authorities are heading in the right development path for Limbang.

A good start was removing Limbang’s “sin capital” image.
 
#18 ·
Rural schools can shine globally, says Tengah
By Philip Kiew
Saturday, July 4th, 2009

LAWAS: The recent joint-award for two remote Limbang Division schools in the Commonwealth Education Good Practices Award 2009 is proof that rural schools can shine on a global level.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the joint-award for SK Ulu Lubai and SK Ba Kelalan was a ringing endorsement of the commitment of parents and teachers to bring about such recognition and achievements.

The schools did the state and country proud by beating entries from 47 countries, including the United Kingdom and India.

“I told the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) in the helicopter on our way to Batang Ai recently of the success of these two remote rural schools despite lacking resources and facilities,” said Tengah during the Limbang Division Teacher’s Day celebration at SMK Merapok yesterday.

Tengah disclosed that he had also brought up the need to give serious attention to the lack of infrastructure and facilities as well as other needs of rural schools in Sarawak, with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister. Shortly after, Muhyiddin called for an audit of rural schools.

“We hope that with the audit, there would be better infrastructure and facilities in Sarawak schools, particularly in rural areas, for a more conducive learning environment for our students,” said Tengah.

He commended teachers in the Limbang Division for their dedication and commitment to their duty as architects of future nation-builders.

“The future of not only students, but also the nation and country, is determined by the pattern of education from teachers, and as such, they have to be dynamic in churning out a new generation that can think globally, act locally, according to local culture in facing globalisation and liberalisation challenges,” he said.

As such, Tengah said, teachers must be role models who have intellectual will, knowledge and skill.

Earlier, Limbang District Education officer Mohd Dzul Badzil Abdullah said the division has had a successful year with a slew of awards.

“We look forward to more SK Ulu Lubais and SK Ba Kelalans,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lee Yiing Chong, who has retired, was selected as Teacher of the Year for his outstanding achievements and contribution towards education, sports and culture in the division.

Among those present at the event were Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Lawas District officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan.

> http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=54234
 
#19 ·
Monitor project specs and work progress: Lee
By Margaret Ringgit
Saturday, July 4th, 2009

LIMBANG: The government will monitor the implementation of projects because it wants to see that these projects are completed according to specifications and in good time.

Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin said this monitoring would be

done by the relevant authorities including engineers assigned to the projects.

“We therefore expect engineers in charge of projects to monitor not only their progress but also to see that specifications are followed,” he said at a briefing session with Public Works Department (JKR) staff here yesterday.

Lee said the state was committed to ensuring that the people get to enjoy the fruits of development as planned by the government.

Also present were Limbang Resident Maria Hasman and divisonal PWD egineer Rumai Galis.

Lee, who concluded his brief visit to Lawas and Limbang, expressed his satisfaction on infrastructure projects and roads being implemented in these districts and conceded that some had to be delayed because of technical problems.

“We hope senior officers involved with the projects could quickly work out ways to put these projects on track again, including Bandar Baru Limbang road project which is being affected by landslides,” he said.

Lee said he was happy with the active implementation of some road projects under the economic stimulus package for Lawas and Limbang districts.

The projects referred to are Lawas road to Long Sukang worth RM30 million; SMK Trusan road and Gelapas new re-settlement (RM3.5 million); Trusan-Briwan road (RM10 million); Meritam-Buangabai Limbang (RM7 million) and Sundar Lawas road (RM8 million).

On the lack of teaching facilities at SJK Yuk Hin, Lee said the school board would have to find ways to raise the funds for buying better facilities.

“Besides that, I’ve been told the board will apply for allocation to Education Ministry to help build facilities such as hall and canteen,” Lee said.

SJK Yuk Hin was built last year through funds collected by the school board and local Chinese associations.

Presently, it operates four classes - two for Primary 1

> http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=54233
 
#20 ·
Tengah: Major projects to create over 5,000 jobs
By Philip Kiew



LET THE PROJECT BEGIN: Tengah performs the
earth-breaking ceremony of the town square.

LAWAS: Over 5,000 jobs will be created in the construction sector here with the impeding construction of a town square, new district office and a waterfront in the district.

The impressive town square project took off yesterday, while the district office, waterfront and a string of other infrastructure projects are in the pipeline.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said this at the earth-breaking ceremony of town square yesterday.

This was in tandem with the state leadership’s aspiration to spread and accelerate the pace of development in the state, stretching from Lundu in the south to Lawas in the north. He said cooperation from all quarters was vital to ensure that all these projects could be implemented smoothly for the benefit of the people.

The expansion of Lawas town to cover the suburbs would open up more land, which could be developed by the farming community, with emphasis on agriculture and aquaculture, Tengah said.

The proposed Lawas Town Square is based on the ambience of the city and park concept where open spaces are created between commercial and administrative centres such as in London or New York.

Tengah said this town (Lawas) would take the examples of the expansive gardens in the middle of the two cities (London and New York), in making its own environment and people-friendly park.

On the new district office complex, he said it would be a new landmark for the town and a new page in the government administrative machinery to provide better service delivery to the people. Major government departments and agencies, including Land and Survey Department, would be housed here. According to Tengah, this project would be implemented with funds from state and federal governments.

“While the journey of turning Lawas into a division is still long, we are confident that the situation in both Limbang and Lawas districts, which are separated by one part of Brunei, will be a push factor towards it’s realisation,” he said. On hydro project here, he said it could generate over 100MW of power to support the industrial sector such as palm oil processing factories, and a myriad of other infrastructure and public amenities projects. These include new secondary and primary schools, new hospital, airport and new police complex, which were already approved for implementation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“All these projects depend on how fast the hydro-electric project could take off, and we are appealing for cooperation from everyone to ensure that all these are implemented smoothly. “These require time and efforts to materialise,” he said.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department and Assistant Minister of Planning and Resource Management Mohd Naroden Majais, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum, Ba Kelalan assemblyman Nelson Balang, Resident Maria Hasman and Lawas District Officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan were among those present. Tengah, later proceeded to perform the earth-breaking of the town square, waterfront, and district office.
 
#28 ·
Limbang To Get Two Mega Agropolitan Projects
January 30, 2010 16:35 PM

LIMBANG, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Two areas in Limbang division have been earmarked for mega agropolitan projects, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said Saturday.

'The Limbang Valley Mega Leap Project and Trusan-Merapok Mega Project will bring development to Limbang," he said when launching the book "Bahagian Limbang: Dahulu Terasing Kini Terjalin" here.

The chief minister's text of speech was delivered by his deputy Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

Taib said the Limbang Valley Mega Leap Project will benefit the 15,266 people comprising the Malays, Bisayas, Ibans, Lun Bawangs dan Kedayans.

The Trusan-Merapok Mega Project will cover the sub-districts of Trusan in Lawas, bordering Temburong in Brunei Darussalam and Sabah.

The 259 page book was written by Sarawak Museum former director Assoc Prof Datuk Sanib Said, a native of Limbang.

-- BERNAMA
 
#29 ·
I was surprised to see Purnama Mall... very big and beautiful from outside, but if u go inside, it looks pretty much like old Kuching Plaza. Narrow path to walk (because too many shops and kiosk squeeze up the area), lack of air-condition makes everything smell funny there, too unorganized (old-fashioned bakery at ground floor?) and many spaces are allocated for shops, but the shops are closed. I'm not talking about Chinese New Year days or weekdays here, but it's on the normal weekends in December last year.

Maybe u can say Limbang has small population bla bla bla... but I don't think Limbangites deserve that kind of mall for them to shop and hang around with their families. If Limbang property developer can consider setting up new lifestyle mall, with more organized premises, I think more Bruneians will come and stopover, because not all Bruneians have all the time in the world to drive to KK. TO me, Limbang has the potential. Just look at the Tedungan area (at the border) than u'll see commercial shops and entertainment premises mushrooming.
 
#31 ·
^^Based on stories told by many Bruneians... Limbang was Brunei's territory, until late 19th century when one of Brunei's sultans (forgot the name) gave it away to Brookes (Sarawak's previous ruling dynasty). Then now it joins Sarawak state, Malaysia. :D
 
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