Malaysia uses Malinau as a reference for hinterland development

The Government of Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan Province, has stated that development in the hinterland areas of Malinau Regency has been deemed successful by the Malaysian state of Sabah, prompting them to visit Malinau to use it as a reference for their own hinterland development. “We received a goodwill visit from the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), Sabah, Malaysia. They are conducting a study on regional development, specifically hinterland development,” said Malinau Deputy Regent Jakaria in Malinau on Thursday. Deputy Regent Jakaria said the delegation from IDS Sabah initially had the main objective of visiting the Krayan area in Nunukan Regency, a border region directly adjacent to Sabah, Malaysia. However, they also took the time to visit Malinau Regency on Wednesday (29/7) to see firsthand the development of Bumi Intimung, which is considered to have successfully built up its hinterland areas since being expanded from Bulungan Regency in 1999. During the meeting, the Malinau Regency Government provided an overview of how the people of Malinau have been able to develop their own region. “The government provides knowledge and experience so that the community can be creative, develop their potential, and utilise culture and traditions as economic value that contributes to the locally-generated revenue,” said Jakaria.