KUCHING, Jan 10: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas reveals that the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) has identified 72 project proposals totalling RM840 million.
Uggah stated in a press statement that BDDA committee members and himself would pay Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg a courtesy call this Friday (Jan 13) to brief the Premier on BDDA’s plans and proposals.
He chaired the BDDA steering committee meeting yesterday (Jan 9) in Betong.
Meanwhile, at an appreciation gathering for party workers from the Bukit Saban Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) branch on Saturday (Jan 7), Uggah remarked that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Dr Richard Rapu’s victory in the Betong parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15) was significant.
“Dr Richard can provide extra input to ensure the newly formed Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) meets its objectives.
“Its main objectives are to develop economic activities through the agriculture and agro-food industries, industrial, commercial, business and entrepreneurship, and tourism sectors, as well as enhancing infrastructure and utility development and cultivate educational excellence in our students,” he noted.
He continued stating that all local leaders, civil servants, community leaders, business people, and everyone else had a significant role to play in the success of BDDA.
Furthermore, he highlighted that Dr Richard’s resounding victory indicates that Sarawakians will continue to reject racial or religious politics.
Uggah, also Bukit Saban assemblyman, claimed that the Opposition candidates in the district had created and exploited such divisive issues to win votes.
However, the Opposition candidates were defeated when Dr Richard won with a majority of 11,302 votes (from the 26,713 valid votes cast).
Uggah acknowledged that he was initially concerned about the Opposition candidates’ tactics at the time.
“Now that the people have decided let us forget what had transpired. Instead, let us focus on mending and restrengthening ties to move forward. Then, let us sit down and talk about what we want in the five years to come,” he noted.
He also stated that the GPS government is now in a good position to bring the State more development and prosperity.
“Currently, we have five full ministers and six deputy ministers in the federal government.
“Thus, we have ample opportunities to work on and implement economic programmes that can provide jobs and generate income for our people, especially our youth.
“On the other hand, we must also strengthen our GPS and PBB parties. These are very important to win all future elections with big majorities, including winning back the seats we lost,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Dr Richard’s speech earlier, he thanked Uggah for the latter’s critical role in helping to deliver the Betong seat to GPS.
He also pledged to assist Uggah and all other division leaders in bringing more development and progress to the division.
“I will also lend my voice in fighting for the return of more of the State’s eroded rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
He also thanked former Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat for his contributions. — DayakDaily
