The Sarawak government will establish the Sibu Economic Zone (SEZ) with an initial allocation of RM1.5 billion to drive the town’s economic development through a more coordinated and comprehensive approach.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government had agreed in principle to create a special agency responsible for overseeing and accelerating Sibu’s economic progress across various sectors.
He said the establishment of the SEZ was necessary as Sibu’s economic landscape involved multiple areas that required a broader development strategy instead of focusing only on specific sectors.
“I have agreed to establish an agency, the Sibu Economic Zone, as its economic development is quite complex.
“For a start, I will include an allocation of RM1.5 billion in the new state budget,” he said during a press conference after officiating the Sarawakku Sayang 2026 Programme for Sibu Division.
Abang Johari said the proposed SEZ would focus on attracting more investments, strengthening the services sector and generating higher-value employment opportunities for the local community.
He added that the Second Trunk Road project, which is expected to be completed in 2029, would play an important role in supporting Sibu’s future growth by reducing travel time between Kuching and Sibu to around two hours.
According to him, improved connectivity would help position Sibu as a more attractive location for service-based industries, including the finance and insurance sectors.
The Premier said the SEZ would also support the implementation of the Sibu redevelopment master plan, which is planned to be carried out in phases over the next 15 to 20 years.
The proposal for a dedicated agency to spearhead Sibu’s economic development was earlier raised by Sarawak Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee during the same event.
Annuar said the initiative would support the needs of skilled workers while strengthening Sibu’s position as a key economic hub in Sarawak’s Central Zone.
He stressed that creating more quality job opportunities and new economic activities was crucial to encouraging professionals to return and contribute to the city’s development.
“We do not want Sibu to become an ‘ageing town’ dominated by senior citizens due to the migration of skilled workers.
“We need to create more job opportunities and economic activities so that they can once again contribute to the development of Sibu,” he said.
