KAPIT, Jan 8: More telecommunication towers should be built in Katibas in Song District, especially at Nanga Bangkit, Ulu Bangkit, Ulu Tekalit, Ulu Iran, Katibas Tengah, Nanga Banjor, Nanga Takan and Ulu Katibas.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) Katibas chairman Paren Nyawi emphasised that there were still many longhouses in Katibas without access to telecommunication network, except for areas near to telecommunication towers such as Nanga Serau and Nanga Engkuah in upper Katibas.
“Considering that the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government has put focus to transform Sarawak through digital economy, ensuring the setting up of telecommunication infrastructure in remote Sarawak is essential to close the broadband and digital gap between urban and rural areas,” he said in a press release today.
During a visit to Nanga Bangkit recently, Paren said villagers of Sungai Bangkit voiced their plight.
“Although they (state government) have been given the mandate for 40 years, the problems faced by villages have yet to be solved,” he lamented.
According to the villagers, the original telco tower was built in Nanga Bangkit, where various facilities were located, including SK Nanga Bangkit, a health clinic, agriculture station and the Nanga Bangkit longhouse — which has been relocated to Nanga Serau.
In addition, Paren highlighted that residents of Nanga Engkuah have also complained that the telco tower erected at their area had not been functioning for the past few months, which has also affected neighbouring longhouses in Nanga Setuchok and Nanga Sesibau.
“Three other nearby facilities are also affected, including SK Nanga Engkuah, the health clinic and an agriculture substation,” he said.
Paren urged the state government to identify and rectify problems at the telco tower promptly.
During the visit, Paren presented allocation from the federal government and grant from Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen to the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of SK Nanga Bangkit. — DayakDaily
