By Adrian Lim and Nancy Nais
GEDONG, Dec 12: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is confident that Gedong will be transformed into a satellite township within Samarahan Division in the future.
In conjunction with Gedong being elevated into a full district today, Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak’s Chief Minister and Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) candidate for the N26 Gedong seat, pledged that he will ensure the plan to transform Gedong into a satellite township becomes a reality.
“Gedong is strategically located close to institutions of higher learning in Samarahan.
“Secondly, it will become a research centre based on our biodiversity produce.
“Thirdly, Gedong will be connected to Kuching directly through the new Sejingkat bridge once it is completed, reducing the travelling time from Gedong to Kuching,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the elevation of Gedong into a full district at a community hall here today.
Abang Johari explained that the elevation of Gedong into a full district is important for the Sarawak government to deliver effective services to the people, especially those in the rural areas, and plan for the future development of Gedong.
He said Gedong was one of the five new districts created in Sarawak this year.
The others are Siburan in Serian Division, Sebuyau in Samarahan Division, and Lingga and Pantu in Sri Aman Division.
As a new district, Abang Johari said Gedong would have a detailed and planned structure of administration which will consist of a district officer and district council to be established.
He added Gedong will have a new development approach under Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (Irsda), which will plan and develop the districts within Samarahan.
Abang Johari also said the Sarawak government is focusing on developing the rural areas through the Coastal Road network as well as boosting the agriculture and tourism sectors in the rural areas.
Earlier, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, in his speech, said the elevation of Gedong into a new district will facilitate the delivery of government services to the people, especially those in Gedong.
He believed the creation of the Gedong administrative office in the future will assist to coordinate all government programmes and projects in Samarahan Division through the Irsda, which will spur the socio-economic development there.
Jaul outlined that the idea to elevate Gedong into a district was aspired by Abang Johari himself as the latter wanted the people in the rural areas to enjoy the development of Sarawak.
He believed the recognition of Gedong into a district is the most precious gift from the State government to the people of Gedong.
Among those present at the ceremony were Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais; Deputy State Secretary (Socio Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy State Secretary (Peformance and Service Delivery Transformation) Datu Dr Sabariah Putit; and Samarahan Resident Brahim Lumpu. — DayakDaily
