SPAOH, June 26: Betong Integrated Development Agency (BIDA) will hold discussions with community leaders to get relevant inputs on development priorities.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said BIDA has already held an initial discussion with all elected representatives and some government officials in the Betong Division recently.
“In our next discussion, we will invite the community leaders. We need to decide on our priorities.
“We want to speed up our development process including in the socio-economic fields in order to generate income for the people,” he said at a Gawai Dayak/Ziarah Ukas programme co-organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bukit Saban branch and Ukas Betong branch at a community hall in Spaoh today.
With an allocation of RM1.5 billion, BIDA is a gift from Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to thank the people of Betong for their continued strong support on the Sarawk government.
In the recent 12th State Election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by Abang Johari won Layar, Bukit Saban, Saribas, Krian, Beting Maro, Kalaka, Kabong and Lingga seats.
“Now BIDA covers these State seats (which include) Lingga and the Betong and Batang Lupar parliamentary seats.
“We hope in the coming parliamentary election, the people will give similarly strong support to GPS candidates for Betong and Batang Lupar.
“Ignore those coming to offer themselves if they are not from GPS. They are just opportunists with no practical agenda or the strong backing to offer any help,” he added.
On agriculture, Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, reiterated his calls for the people to take up livestock and pond fish breeding besides other activities.
“I have often given this advice before but so far not many have responded. With the demands for meat and fish constantly on the rise, there are very good commercial potential here.
“We can even help with the marketing. We are also going to have the airport at Bebuling to reach out to the markets,” he said.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, a political secretary to Sarawak Premier Dr Richard Rapu and UKAS Betong divisional officer Tony Malang joined Uggah at the gathering. — DayakDaily
