By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 21: Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan shares the sentiment of his community leaders over the exclusion of the constituency from Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
He said Balai Ringin, by virtue of it being under the jurisdiction of the Serian Division administration, should be one of the direct beneficiaries of the GKCDA master plan.
“This is to ensure every settlement or kampung under Serian Division will be covered by the development agenda.
“It is more practical to manage by way of divisional function instead of political or communal interests.
“Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada) and Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) for that matter have similar distinctive features whereby all the [region] and parliamentary constituencies are amalgamated into a common master plan.
“We wish GKCDA to be the same too where no one will be left behind. Don’t sideline us from sharing the pie,” he said in a statement following query by pressmen today.
Snowdan who is the Sarawak Deputy Minister of Creative Industry and Performing Arts further said he noted that various labs have been done to identify development projects to be implemented, as reported by the media.
“Looks like we are not in the boat and are being sidelined. I believe our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s agenda is more holistic and more widespread (sic) than this.
“The number of kampung in Serian Division registered under the new sub-district of Balai Ringin is not less than 100 kampung. Moreover, these kampung are located in Serian Division and (should) rather be included under GKCDA. Similarly, all the kampung in Sri Aman Division are parked under Sada.
“And this is a significant figure considering the overall (number of) residents who inhibit the settlements.
By all means, do not sideline them,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
