By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 11: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made it clear that he is not a liar and that whatever he announced would be fulfilled in due time.
“Many have said that I have announced and announced and nothing comes into being. Of course, I announce, then planning will have to come first,” he said during a ‘Meet the People’-cum-‘Handing-over of Land Titles’ session at Spaoh Community Hall today.
Likening it to the process of building a house, he said every project must have a plan but materialising the plan takes time. He, thus, urged the rakyat to give him time to complete the projects he had announced.
“I am not a liar. I know the problem with liars is that their tongues will be cut off. We Muslims believe in that. Those who are non-Muslims also believe that.
“Whenever I announce, I will implement with my colleagues in the government. I don’t want to be a liar because I don’t want to be questioned when I die.”
At the same function, Abang Johari announced that an airport would be built in Spaoh because experts had deemed that land in Spaoh is suitable.
Apart from the airport project, he also announced that 39 telecommunication towers would be built in Betong division.
Another project he announced was the construction of the RM14 million Spaoh Sports Complex, which will also house an incubator hub. He said this would be the first complex in Sarawak that combines a sports complex with an incubator hub.
Other projects he announced today were RM6.4 million for the Spaoh Waterfront Phase 1, a road between Kampung Turie and Kampung Surie (RM35 million), a steel bridge across Paku River (RM5.7 million), building of Spaoh Sub-District Office (RM4.6 million), upgrading of the Lobang-Sebuyau Road and replacement of old pipes.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari also reminded those present that the Internet was a blessing but also a curse as some quarters had been twisting facts and spreading lies online.
He reiterated that Section 6 of the Land Code was to allow perimeter survey to be carried out for a big area of land, while Section 18 was to allow land titles to be granted on individual lots.
“However, it has been twisted that this law is allowing indirect land grabs by the government,” he said, adding that he was glad Spaoh folk were not affected by the lies.
At the function, a total of 686 native customary land titles (under Section 18) were given out to 470 land owners and 12 were given temporary occupation permits. — DayakDaily
