MIRI: As Miri celebrates two decades since its elevation to city status, the outlook for this coastal city in northern Sarawak is increasingly optimistic, bolstered by strategic infrastructure developments, digital innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.
Speaking at the Miri City 20th anniversary gala dinner on Tuesday (May 21), Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang outlined key projects that he said position the city as a rising regional hub.
Among them are the construction of a 500-megawatt Combined Cycle Power Plant in Lutong, the deepening of the Baram River mouth at Kuala Baram, the upcoming Beraya Resort, and the ambitious Kenyalang Smart City development.
“A component of the Kenyalang Smart City project includes the Fudan SEA Institute of Integrative Medicine,” said Yii. “Once operational, this world-renowned medical institute will set Miri apart in the field of regional medical tourism.”
Miri’s transformation from a quiet oil town into a thriving “Resort City” officially began on May 20, 2005. It became Malaysia’s 10 city and the first to be granted city status without being a state capital. The city now has a population nearing 400,000 and spans 5,200 square kilometres, following the inclusion of the Bario sub-district in 2015.
At the event, Yii acknowledged the contributions of several key figures who helped Miri attain its city status, including former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam, former Miri Municipal Council chairman Datuk Wee Han Wen, and Tan Sri Peter Chin, then the Federal Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
Miri’s economic momentum is reflected in steady GDP contributions and increasing interest from both local and international investors. Public infrastructure and tourism numbers are growing, as are efforts to cement Miri’s identity as a sustainable, digitally connected, and culturally vibrant resort destination.
“Green initiatives include installing solar-powered street lighting, expanding parks and green spaces, tree planting campaigns, and promoting environmental awareness through programmes like “Car-Free Day” and “Say No to Plastic”. The city’s drive to reduce carbon emissions is seen as central to its long-term urban planning,” Yii said.
Miri is also taking the lead in Sarawak’s digital transformation. Since being selected as the pilot location for the state’s Smart City Proof-of-Concept in 2019, the council has digitised many of its administrative services. Council meetings have been paperless since 2018, and a mobile parking app the only one of its kind in Sarawak has been launched to streamline urban mobility.
“The newly completed Miri Smart City Command Centre, located at the city council’s headquarters, will serve as a central node for monitoring data from smart infrastructure such as safe parks, smart drains, and smart buses,” he said.
Miri’s liveability goals extend to inclusivity. It is a signatory to both the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCC) programme in partnership with Curtin University Malaysia.
The city is also upgrading public amenities to be more accessible to persons with disabilities, including better parking facilities and barrier-free infrastructure.
The city’s natural allure remains a major asset. Flanked by picturesque beaches, offshore diving spots, and deep-sea fishing grounds, Miri also serves as the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Gunung Mulu National Park (designated in 2000) and Niah National Park (listed in 2024).
In recent years, Miri has ramped up efforts to build global connections through Friendship City partnerships. These include ties with cities in China, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Future ties are expected to grow further once Sarawak’s upcoming airline, Air Borneo, becomes operational and improves connectivity to the region.
Also present at the event was Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the event.
