Bank Negara, Recoda team up to improve financial reach in rural Sarawak
Mohd Safri (sixth right) presents a memento to Rantai, while others look on.
MIRI (June 13): The Highland Development Agency (HDA) office recently hosted a courtesy visit from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Regional Office Kuching, led by its Head Rantai Naga, in conjunction with the central bank's working visit to Miri.
The visit reinforced BNM's strategic commitment to ensuring that all Malaysians – especially those in rural and remote areas – have access to financial services.
This includes physical access via Financial Access Points (FAPs), bank agents (EBs), cash recycle machines (CRM), and conventional bank branches or digital platforms.
According to the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda), six 'mukims' (districts) in Sarawak still lack FAP coverage.
This includes three in the Miri Division – Bario, Mulu, and Long Bedian.
During the session, Recoda director (Project Management Division) Mohammad Safri Ibrahim provided a comprehensive briefing on the proposed road network in northern Sarawak.
This includes Northern Coastal Highway (NCH), Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 1 & Phase 2, Miri-Marudi-Mulu-Long Lama, Sarawak Border Road (Long Banga-Bario-Bakelalan), as well as plans to improve rural connectivity between Long Lama and Long Bedian.
The Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, led by SSLR project manager John Wong, presented an update on the current progress of SSLR Phases 1 and 2 during the visit.
'The improved infrastructure is expected to further facilitate financial inclusion and spur socio-economic growth in highland communities,' said Recoda.
The collaboration between stakeholders underlines the importance of integrated planning that supports not only infrastructure but also financial accessibility in underserved communities, it added. Bank Negara banking financial HDA infrastructure lead Recoda rural
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