SPAOH, May 16: Longhouse chiefs’ associations play pivotal role in influencing rural folks to accept all development plans and programmes by the State government, says Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
Thus, he advised longhouse chiefs to keep themselves in the know of all such plans and programmes in their areas where they should be able to identify opportunities which their ‘anak biaks’ could exploit, such as those in modern agriculture.
“In the case of the Spaoh sub-district, it is part of the Bukit Sadok Agropolitan and the Betong-Mukah Food Basket development areas.
“In Spaoh too, we are going to have an airstrip at Bebuling which is being built now. This is to transport our farm products to the market.
“Thus, we must justify this RM108 million project by having the quantity and the quality,” said Robert who was representing Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at a pre-Gawai dinner held in Spaoh on Saturday (May 14) night.
Organised by the Spaoh Tuai Rumah Association under the leadership of Tr Joseph Suat Andrew Mara, the dinner was attended by folks from 41 longhouses.
Robert added the agriculture plan and programmes are also meant to help the local community generate stable income in order to raise their standard of living.
On another matter, he thanked voters in Betong Division for their very strong support for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidates in Bukit Saban, Layar and Saribas.
“Now we have Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah of Bukit Saban reappointed the Deputy Premier while Layar and Saribas assemblymen Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Mohd Razi Sitam respectively were appointed as deputy ministers.
“This is unprecedented and something we should be proud of. We should continue with our support for the continuity and soon we may have the parliamentary election coming.
“GPS should again be strongly supported to retain the Betong seat,” he said.
The event witnessed Robert crowning Adrian Laja Georgie of Rh Luta, Ng Bong, Ulu Paku for winning the Keling Gawai competition while his wife Datin Claudia Regina Janting crowning Adelle Eudora Klienah Ricky Adon of Rh Anyie, Matop, Paku for winning the Kumang Gawai competition.
Also present at the dinner were political secretary to Sarawak Premier Dr Richard Rapu, Bintulu Resident Datu Jack Aman and community leader Temenggong Richard Mulok. – DayakDaily
