SPAOH, Nov 17: Voting in a non-Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate can throw a spanner in the works of Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) which is in the process of implementing RM200 million worth of development projects and programmes each in Layar, Bukit Saban and Saribas constituencies.
GPS election director Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that the GPS government through BDDA will finetune and decide on project priorities for Betong Division next year.
“Betong voters and people have everything to gain with a GPS victory.
“A vote for GPS candidate Dr Richard Rapu in Betong is also a vote for Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who heads GPS and has been responsible for the many good things we are currently enjoying in the State,” he said, according to a statement today.
The Deputy Premier raised this when meeting the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) chief from a Malay village here today.
Expressing his satisfaction with coters’ response and enthusiasm for Dr Richard and GPS, Uggah expressed his confidence that P204 Betong voters will deliver the seat to GPS on polling day this Saturday (Nov 19).
“I believe we will replicate our successes in Bukit Saban, Layar and Saribas seats in last year’s State election.
“People are very happy with GPS and Dr Richard. Some have been very emotional in expressing and pledging their support,” he said.
Despite this optimism, Uggah who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman, has cautioned all not to be complacent but to continue to work hard to maintain the momentum.
“Let us continue to further strengthen our GPS government by having more representatives in the Dewan Rakyat. Let Betong contribute one GPS Member of Parliament (MP) there,” he said.
In his speech, Dr Richard pledged to work closely with Uggah to elevate Spaoh into a district in the near future as he wants to also develop Spaoh further if elected.
Meanwhile, when visiting Rh Jame Unggot in Lubok Kelampu in Paku last night (Nov 16), Uggah reminded the Iban community that if the opposition managed to capture Betong, it would not be easy to take it back in the next election.
Worst still, he said, the people would be left to fend for themselves as opposition or independent MPs are incapable of really helping them.
“The GPS government had in place numerous (forms of) assistance for the rural folks. We set aside a sum of RM50 million each year for the longhouse loan scheme with each eligible applicant able to get RM30,000 in an interest free loan to build or repair his unit of the longhouse,” he added. — DayakDaily
