By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 28: A new health clinic costing RM16 million will be built in the Simpang Layar area in Betong, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said this during a Gawai Dayak gathering organised by the Saribas Social and Recreational Club at a hotel here on Friday night (June 27).
Uggah, who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman, said the new clinic would be in addition to another clinic that that will be built, which costs RM36 million, and a haemodialysis centre costing RM5 million, both in Spaoh, which he said was made possible by the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA).
“On behalf of the people in the Betong Division, I must thank our Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for BDDA and its development allocation of RM15 billion.
“We have seen so many big impact projects coming our way. Another one which we also eagerly await is the completion of the road from Sri Aman to Betong town.
“This road, part of the Second Trunk Road, is expected to be completed next year and will reduce driving time to about 30 minutes between both towns,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, reiterated that he and other leaders would continue to focus on creating more income-generating economic activities and promoting education excellence in the division.
“We view modern farming as the way forward. To achieve this goal, we have identified a 1,000-acre area for our agropark and have also selected several anchor companies to spearhead the development in collaboration with landowners.
“So, I hope all will give their strongest co-operation and support,” he said.
In promoting the culture of excellence in education, he said programmes such as seminars and career counselling would be organised for rural students.
“With the government providing free tertiary education beginning next year, our concern is whether more rural students will be able to enjoy this.
“We want them to do well in science, mathematics, and English so that we can produce more professionals such as engineers, accountants, doctors, and others. Our new future economy will demand a lot of these professionals,” he said.
On another matter, he called on the Saribas Social and Recreational Club to recruit more youths to join its ranks to provide voluntary services and other contributions.
Uggah was joined at the function by Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, who is also the club chairman, Selanggau MP Edwin Banta, and Lupar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.
Also present were former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and former Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
Uggah also later announced grants totalling RM180,000 from him, Dr Richard, Edwin, and Rentap for the club and its co-operative.
Earlier, he also presented tokens of appreciation to Dr Richard and other club members, as well as incentives to 26 outstanding students from the Betong Division. — DayakDaily
