KUCHING, July 17: Kampung Melayu Tubau in Murum state constituency is on the verge of extinction, and when the residents appealed for help today, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg quickly approved three projects worth RM1.8 million.
The three projects are village expansion (Phase 1 – village site) costing RM500,000, a multi-purpose hall (RM800,000), and a metal bridge across Sg Penyuan in Long Urun (RM500,000).
This village has been in existence since 1910, but now only three families are residing in the area. Many houses have been abandoned as the owners moved to Bintulu to seek greener pastures.
Concerned about the future of their village, the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Kampung Melayu Tubau went to see their assemblyman, Kennedy Chukpai Ugon. Chukpai then brought them to pay a courtesy call on the chief minister at the latter’s office in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
According to Chukpai, Kampung Melayu Tubau used to have about 200 families, but over the years, the majority of its 500 residents gradually moved to Bintulu town.
“Our purpose in seeing the chief minister is to seek his help to bring the people back to the village. The JKKK of the village want to rebuild the village. We come here with a proposal for the chief minister,” said Chukpai to reporters on the sidelines of the DUN sitting.
He said the JKKK had hoped for an allocation of RM1 million only to rebuild their village.
“A surau was already built by using the rural transformation project fund that I allocated them. Land is available. The RM1 million we are asking is to clear the site and for other development, including the building of a community hall.” — DayakDaily
