Mayor Adam Yii: MCC Committed to Supporting Bario’s Sustainable Growth

suppadmin | July 25, 2025

Miri City Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang has reaffirmed Miri City Council’s (MCC) commitment to supporting sustainable development in Bario while preserving the highland community’s unique cultural and environmental heritage.

Speaking at the official opening of Pesta Nukenen 2025, Yii said the festival is more than just a celebration reflects the spirit, stories, and resilience of the Bario people.

“Since Bario became part of Miri City in 2015, we have made it our responsibility to uplift the community through development projects that are respectful of the natural environment,” he said.

He noted that the incorporation of Bario has expanded Miri’s jurisdiction to over 5,200 square kilometres, making it nearly seven times the size of Singapore.

Highlighting ongoing initiatives, he mentioned projects like the Bario Community Park and the Memorial Park, with designs being developed by Sensiscape Sdn. Bhd., as well as the Ngeribed Bawang beautification programme, which aims to plant traditional and rare flora across villages.

“We see Pesta Nukenen not just as a cultural gathering, but as a statement of sustainability and environmental care, values deeply embedded in the Kelabit way of life,” he said.

Yii also introduced a major waste management innovation for Bario the solar-powered Plasma Pyrolysis “Asher” machine which converts waste into ash with minimal environmental impact. The initiative supports the state’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) by promoting green technology in rural areas.

The mayor shared updates on several infrastructure projects, including the completion of three Initiatif Kemudahan Rakyat (IKR) projects in Long Lellang and the construction of a Bailey Bridge in Kampung Pa’ Mada, funded with RM1 million by Deputy Prime Minister II. In addition, RM540,000 has been allocated for road upgrades between Bario Memorial Park and the old airport route.

Yii also announced that under the Ministry of Economy’s IKR programme, RM1.2 million has been approved for six projects in Bario Sub-District in 2024, with an additional RM600,000 set for 2025.

In conjunction with this year’s festival, MCC allocated RM80,000 to support enhancements in Bario, including grass-cutting at the Community Park, temporary drain works, repainting of shops, and comprehensive waste management during and after the event.

“MCC is also planning to expand services to Long Banga and Long Seridan, while six acres of land have been set aside for new shop-lots in Bario to spur local business opportunities,” Yii added.

To improve public service delivery, MCC has set up a Bario Sub-district Task Force led by councillors Cr Lilla Raja and Cr Lian Tarawe, and will also assign three more permanent staff in Bario.

Yii expressed hope that Bario roads would soon be adopted under the MARRIS programme for better maintenance. He also reiterated MCC’s pride in co-organising Pesta Nukenen with Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, and thanked community members, volunteers, and organisers for preserving the spirit of the highlands.

“It is a privilege for Rita and me to carry the titles Rajan Ngatan and Sinah Raja Ngetan, a mark of your trust. We bear them with pride and humility,” he said.

Concluding his speech, Yii expressed confidence that Bario would continue to grow as a model of sustainable development and eco-tourism.

“With these words, I am honoured and proud to formally declare Pesta Nukenen 2025 open,” he said.