By Karen Bong
MIRI, Nov 25: The many projects implemented throughout Sarawak in the past three years including the Mulu Service Centre here today demonstrated that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is a man of action, not just words, opined Mulu incumbent Datuk Gerawat Gala.
He said this was unlike certain leaders who made promises of dropping petrol prices in 24-hours when they became the government, the 20 per cent oil royalty and returning 50 per cent of taxes collected from Sarawak, which were never fulfilled.
“It was the chief minister who initiated a meeting to discuss the proposal for the Mulu Service Centre after learning that the allocation from the Federal government had not been forthcoming.
“I remembered he (Abang Johari) said ‘we won’t wait for the Federal government. We will just do it and I want it to be launched before the election’,” he recalled of the matter.
As the groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of the Mulu Service Centre construction today, Gerawat pointed out that this shows that Abang Johari has fulfilled his promises made in April this year.
The Mulu Service Centre, he added, will transform the sub-district of Mukah, which comprises 13 villages and longhouses, to be more progressive and modern.
It will serve the needs of the surrounding villages and tourism industry, cater for the police, customs and immigration services, as well as cater for the future development of the community where Unesco world natural heritage site Mulu National Park is located.
The project will cover 716.3-acres of land with the first phase consisting Mulu Sub-District Office, Rural Transformation Centre (RTC), food court, community hall, small shops or village shops and sports field.
“This project will definitely bring major changes to the landscape of Mulu and open up various economic opportunities for the local community,” he said.
Gerawat, who is also Deputy Speaker, emphasised that there were many other projects in implementation stages in Mulu constituency including Long Terawan Heritage Building and tagang system in Sg Mayu which were approved during the launching of Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (SRBN).
Other projects approved including RM35 million water treatment plant; clean water supply projects for Long Terawan (RM10 million), Long Panai (RM15 million), Long Ukuk/Long Paloh/Long Patan (RM 5 million) and in Linei involving Rh Asong, Rh Rok, Rh Anthony, Rh Sumping and Rh Lajang (RM10 million); and electricity project (RM20 million).
Abang Johari had in April also approved tar sealed road projects from Miri to Marudi, to Long Panai, Long Terawan and Kuala Linei including the junction to Long Panai and Long Lama with an estimated cost of over RM1 billion.
“Never before has Sg Tunoh got so much development that involved a huge expenditure. In three years since GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) was formed under YAB (Abang Johari), this proved the GPS government excellent governance of Sarawak,” he said.
Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, and State Deputy Secretary (Socio-Economy Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki were among those present. — DayakDaily
