By Nancy Nais
BALAI RINGIN, Dec 7: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed that Balai Ringin be elevated into a sub-district.
In disclosing this, Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan said he is hopeful that it will be done by next year.
“I made the formal request to Abang Johari sometime in August last year and he recently agreed to it. It means, Sri Aman will have a new sub-district soon. The State Secretary’s office will carry out a full study including (on) the population and extent of boundary,” Snowdan told DayakDaily after gracing the ‘Randau Ruai GPS with Datuk Snowdan Lawan’ event in Kampung Spaoh Raba here yesterday.
Although much administrative work needs to be done to formalise the said status, Snowdan opined there should not be any problem because Balai Ringin currently has a wet market, shop lots or bazaar, schools, library, multipurpose hall, police station, army camp, health clinic, churches and mosque for a population of about 10,000 people.
“All that is part of the requirements needed to get the sub-district status. It (the elevation) is very important for Balai Ringin in the future, to enable them (residents) to receive better and efficient administration services, and have the ability to compete with agricultural and tourism development.
“The elevation is also due to the rising number in population. With the sub-district status, Balai Ringin will continue to be developed from time to time because it will be easier for us to get more allocations,” he asserted.
Snowdan, who is also the Assistant Minster of Youth and Sports said currently residents in Balai Ringin have to travel all the way to Serian to settle official and administrative matters.
On the other hand, once Balai Ringin becomes a sub-district, it will benefit residents from neighbouring Kedup as well, he added. — DayakDaily
