By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Jan 20: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang vowed to continue his efforts to improve the living standard of his constituents especially housing, after it was announced by his party president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian that all seven SUPP incumbents will be retained in the coming 12th state election.
“Just for the ‘baik pulih rumah’ (house renovation) scheme, we have assisted 60 households. We allocated RM15,000 per household for which they don’t have to pay a single sen. After we have helped the poorest, then we go for the next level.
“I think eventually everyone in my area in Batu Kitang will have a good house to stay. For this I would like to thank our CM for his farsightedness,” Lo told journalists during the Chinese Leaders’ New Year Open House here last night.
He said so far, 60 households have benefited from the scheme and he was optimistic that in the next few years, every household in Batu Kitang will have a comfortable house to live in.
He explained that the allocation normally assists recipients to fix their roofing and toilets and improve their kitchens.
“So now, very year we have RM1 million to spend on this. You can imagine how many people we can assist. We are going to assist the poorest and then to the next level of the poor,” he said.
Lo who is also Padawan Municipal Council chairman also revealed that each elected representative from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will receive RM5 million in Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds; RM2 million in Minor Rural Project (MPR) funds and another RM1 million for the ‘baik pulih rumah’ (house renovation) scheme.
“The RM5 million annual allocation will also help the poorest in my area. This way, we can elevate (the living standards of) the poor in our environment. I’m very happy with what we are doing and I believe that the people can see the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (Tun Openg) is the best leadership that we have and Sarawakians should support our present leadership. Only Sarawakians will look after Sarawak. See what is happening in Semenanjung, the Malayans will never take care of Sarawak,” he reiterated.
When asked about his chances of successfully defending his seat, Lo said, “The chances are very good. Not because SUPP is very good but because PH has not done as well.
“I do not want to under-rate anybody but I want to remind myself to work even harder. and I believe that the present state government leadership under CM Abang Jo, we have RM5 million RTP every year; RM2 million MPR fund and another RM1 million for ‘baik pulih rumah’.
“And now we are going to get more funds for agricultural purposes. And all this money will be used for the people who will need it most…. That’s the best policy. We go and help the poor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lo said, since soon after the last state election in 2016, he has been busy on the ground to serve the people.
“Ever since 2016, even though the election was over in 2016, I got busier by the day. It is just like going for the election (every day) and I have been wearing my yellow shirt every day since 2016,” said Lo.
In the last state election, Lo won his Batu Kitang seat with a 1,840-vote majority in a five-cornered fight. — DayakDaily
