By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 23: Tamin assemblyman Christoper Gira proposes the establishment of a Rascom Development Agency (Rasda) for Pakan, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau, and Tatau districts.
These five districts, which cover the five constituencies of Meluan, Ngemah, Machan, Tamin and Kakus, make up three million hectares of land and a population of 140,000.
Citing Associate Professor Dr Madeline Berma of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, who stated that Pakan and Selangau are among the poorest districts in Malaysia with an income per capita of RM2,760, he said the Sarawak government should develop a new source of economic growth to create more job opportunities besides diversifying the source of income for the rural populace.
“Therefore, I would also like to request a development agency in the central region, including districts of Pakan, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau and Tatau,” said Gira while debating on the Governor’s speech at Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
He argued that the people of these areas had made sacrifices during the Emergency and urged the government to return the goodwill of the people by bringing in more development.
“I would like to recall the history of these areas subject to the threat by communists around 1970 to 1980s. The people from these areas have made sacrifices to support the government to fight against the communists, which led to the murder of the late Penghulu Imban on February 25, 1970, by communists in Ulu Oya, Selangau, who defended the community from the attack.
“After the incident, the government decided to resettle the people from the affected areas, namely Sekuau, Tada, Jagau and Ngugun, for security purposes.
“Therefore, it is only right for the government to return the favour to those who had sacrificed their lives to defend the nation by bringing development to those areas through the setting up of Rasda,” said Gira. — DayakDaily
