By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Feb 15: Murum and Belaga Assemblymen Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Datuk Liwan Lagang want the state government’s proposal to move the administration of Sg Asap sub-district to be under Sebauh district to be stopped.
In fact, according to Kennedy, his community leaders wanted the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to interfere to stop the proposal.
“Our community leaders will hand over a letter of objection to the CM when he visits Sg Asap on Feb 29 as the move is seen as not fulfilling the aspirations of our people.
“We strongly object against the proposal because not only were we not consulted, it is also done not as we expected, as we preferred Sg Asap to be elevated into a full-fledged district,” Kennedy told DayakDaily today.
Currently, Sg Asap sub-district is under the administration of Belaga district.
The first-term Murum Assemblyman pointed out that Sg Asap, which has been officially renamed as Apau Koyan, deserved to be recognised and be further developed for its vast contribution in terms of power supply through Murum hydro-electric power (HEP) and Bakun HEP, to the entire state.
“Our people sacrificed so much. We deserved better deals from the state government by elevating Sg Asap as a district and Tubau as a sub-district. This is the kind of rural transformation programme that we are hoping for,” Kennedy reiterated.
He also hoped that Tubau, which is currently under the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) to be taken out and placed under the Sg Asap, which should be made a full district.
Kennedy said currently, Tubau does not enjoy efficient service provided by BDA, such as rubbish collection. Other basic infrastructure and amenities not provided are water supply, road maintenance and street lighting.
“It’s about time that Tubau be made a sub-district under the district of Sg Asap,” added Kennedy.
Liwan, who is also Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity Supplies) went one step further by urging the Sarawak government to elevate Belaga district as a division to recognise its vast contributions.
“We have submerged our precious land to provide power for the whole of Sarawak. So, we deserve to be recognised and one way to do that is by elevating Belaga, together with Sg Asap into a division, especially for the Orang Ulu community,” said Liwan.
Liwan stressed that since Belaga district, which include Sg Asap sub-district, is one of the biggest districts in Sarawak, it deserved to be developed like any other areas, which are now better off.
He revealed that he had voiced his objection to move Sg Asap to be placed under Sebauh district to the State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.
“If we allow such move, both Belaga and Murum constituencies will be in danger of falling to the opposition,” warned Liwan. —DayakDaily
