Belawai, a serene coastal town in the central region of Sarawak, is on the brink of a massive socio-economic metamorphosis as RM164 million has been allocated to develop the beach into a stunning waterfront akin becoming “Hawaii of Sarawak”.
The coastal town, long known for its pristine beaches and traditional fishing villages, is now a focus of a major government initiative designed to elevate it into a premier tourist destination.
The project is known as the Belawai Waterfront and Beach Development Project.
The RM164 Million Belawai Waterfront and Beach Development Project
The centerpiece of this coastal revolution is the RM164 million Belawai Beach Development Project.
According to recent reports, the project is designed not only to boost tourism but also to tackle critical environmental issues like coastal erosion.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, highlighted that the comprehensive makeover will introduce a variety of public amenities which include a main stage, a lively funfair market, and a dedicated family recreation zone.
The project is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak and the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA).
Initially, the waterfront upgrade was estimated at RM35 million back in 2022, but Premier Abang Johari foresaw the need for a larger budget to truly realize the area’s potential as a world-class tourist hub.
This bumped the budget to RM161 million as reported by TVS in 2025, with the most recent figure standing at RM164 million as reported by DayakDaily.
Currently, the project has reached the final planning stages and it is expected to cover about 2KM of beach land.
Better connectivity will help the project
Generally, the development Belawai Waterfront and Beach Development Project will be accelerated by the newly established Sarikei-Tanjung Manis route and the recent opening of the Batang Rajang Bridge in March 2025.
The opening of the bridge has already triggered an unexpected surge in traffic, proving the success of the region’s long-term mobility planning.
This enhanced connectivity means that tourists – including those embracing the newly promoted “motorhome” travel concept – will have seamless access to the Belawai coastline, hence making the completion of the project even more urgent.
With luxury hotels, golf courses, and the expansion of the Tanjung Manis Airport also in the pipeline, the project is will change the quiet fishing village to become a vibrant, bustling coastal resort town.
Information source: DD1, MM, ST, DD2, TVS
