Urban planners should set their priorities right in deciding on projects to avoid their works ending up as 'white elephants', Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said today.

He said a development project's benefits to the local populace should always be given utmost consideration.

Income-generating projects should be given the priority, he said when speaking during a meet-the-people gathering at the Bekenu bazaar, about 50km from Miri.

Taib was speaking after being briefed on a plan to re-build the Sungai Sibuti Waterfront near the bazaar.

“With income-generating projects given the priority, you can then start thinking of upgrading the waterfront facilities,” he added.

Taib, who is also state resource planning and management minister, said the people in Bekenu had a unique culture that should be promoted as a tourism attraction.

With their customs and delicacies rarely found elsewhere, he said their uniqueness should be proudly presented to tourists who were willing to spend and experience something different.

After the gathering, Taib, who was accompanied by Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Daud Abdul Rahman, launched a k-mosque programme at Bekenu At-Muttaqin Mosque.

- Bernama