By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, May 23: The best solution for partyless former State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Baru Bian to help unite the Orang Ulu community is to join Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which has proven to be a uniting factor among people of various races and religion Sarawak.
In pointing this out, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Dennis Ngau urged Baru to consider joining GPS for the sake of Orang Ulu unity, instead of criticizing the ruling State coalition.
“Instead of continue to be critical to GPS. He (Baru) should consider joining GPS instead. This will be good for the sake of unity for Orang Ulu community which is a minority in Sarawak,” Dennis told DayakDaily when contacted here today.
Except for Baru, all the other five Orang Ulu State assemblymen, Datuk Liwan Lagang (Belaga), Kennedy Chukpai Ugon (Murum), Datuk Gerawat Gala (Mulu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) are with GPS, said Dennis. Besides the five assemblymen, two Orang Ulu MPs are also in GPS, namely Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and Baram MP Anyi Ngau.
Two days ago, Baru who is Selangau MP and Ba’ Kelalan Assemblyman has urged the weaker component parties in GPS to reconsider their alliance with PBB, claiming that there was imbalance in the distribution of power in the coalition.
On another issue, Dennis who is also Telang Usan Assemblyman welcomed the news relayed by Marudi Assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil yesterday that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed in principle to build the 112-km Miri-Marudi-Ng Melinau Road which will open up more land for agriculture.
“Any road project for the rural areas that provides better connectivity is always welcomed. This is because Sarawak is so vast and needs plenty of allocation to construct more roads,” he said.
Yesterday, Penguang told DayakDaily that much needed road connectivity would be completed by 2024, providing the vital link for tourists to visit Mulu, which is a world heritage site.
Penguang disclosed that the road will be constructed under Highland Development Authority (HDA) with total a cost of some RM1 billion.
“Paper works on the proposed project will be ready by the end of this year and hopefully construction could proceed by 2021 based on ‘design and build’. It is expected to be completed by 2024,” said Penguang, adding that the Miri-Marudi sector will be realigned so that the journey will be shortened by 20 minutes.
Besides that, the road will also be like a big loop, linking Ng Melinau, Long Panai and Long Lama and back to Beluru, Marudi and Miri.
The road was crucial as it will open up more land for agriculture as well as for culture, adventure and nature (CAN) eco-tourism activities.
Meanwhile, Dennis welcomed Anyi’s appointment as the new Malaysian Cocoa Board chairman and hoped it will provide the platform for Anyi to assist the Orang Ulu community not only in the cultivation of cocoa but also in other crops that could improve their livelihood. – DayakDaily
