By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 29: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved an additional RM800,000 for the construction of two churches in Gedong.
He said the former Gedong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais has brought to his attention that the expenses for the projects would increase due to the price hike of construction materials.
“We are building two churches. But since the price of cement, iron and other construction materials have increased, the initial allocation of RM500,000 for each church will not be enough.
“Thus, we will add another RM400,000 allocation for each church through Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).
“As the Gawai Dayak celebration is coming, we will approve the extra allocation in view that the people will utilise the church to pray for good health, State’s sovereignty and unity of its people regardless of different religion and background,” he said when officiating at the Gedong district-level Mantar Gawai celebration in Gedong earlier tonight.
Abang Johari who is the current Gedong assemblyman also disclosed that the authorities have determined the alignment for the construction of a road connecting Ulu Simunjan and Gedong.
“Once the road is completed, it will connect Gedong to Samarahan, Kuching International Airport (KIA), Tanjung Bako and up to Sejingkat.
“We will also build a new port for us to export our goods. This means, Gedong will be close to both the port and airport.
“And if we have land, we develop it and work on improving our food security,” he added.
He also said with Gedong upgraded as a district, a district council will be set up to develop and implement the projects for the local community.
Also present were Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development-cum-Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo; Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris; Tupong assemblyman-cum-chief political secretary to the Premier, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman; Deputy State Secretary (Socio-Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; and Naroden. — DayakDaily
