By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Dec 3: Sarawak is lucky to have both previous and current Federal Works Ministers from Sarawak as the appointment of Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi to the portfolio under the unity government would expedite the construction of road connectivity in the State, especially the Pan Borneo Highway.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said having Sarawakians to oversee the Works Ministry will bode well as they have better understanding of the needs as well as the complexity that exists in Sarawak.
“Considering that his (Nanta’s) constituency is in Kapit, which is in the rural area, he would probably understand the situation better,” he told reporters during a press conference after launching Asia’s ‘Sarawak Road Trip: Self Drive Travel Guide’ at Kuching Waterfront, today.
Abdul Karim was responding to a question by reporters on what he looks forward to with Nanta’s appointment as Works Minister.
He hopes Nanta will continue the previous works implemented in Sarawak by his predecessor Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, which is to improve the highway network and roads in both the rural and urban areas.
Abdul Karim believes the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must have taken all considerations to appoint Nanta to look after the Ministry.
“He also knows that we are going to celebrate our 60th Independence celebration in Malaysia, and Sarawak needs that development shift,” he added.
Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of Dato Sri Tiong King Sing as Tourism Minister, Abdul Karim said that it will greatly help the cooperation between the Federal and Sarawak governments.
“I am very happy (with Tiong’s appointment) and we will work well with him.
“Having a Sarawakian looking after Malaysian tourism, of course it will be much easier for us to talk to him,” he added. – DayakDaily
