By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 13: Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Datuk Snowdan Lawan has unveiled plans for Balai Ringin town to undergo a facelift.
These plans involve a new township with more retail lots, recreation spaces, waterfront, information centre, and parking bays for long-distance buses.
According to a press release, Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman, stated that the new development will provide more convenience to traders, visitors, and tourists.
Snowdan also expressed gratitude to the State government for elevating Pantu to a full district and establishing the new Balai Ringin sub-district, which has improved administrative functions and services to the people, reducing travel time and costs.
Meanwhile, on another note, the minister emphasised the importance of prudently managing the funds allocated by the government, specifically the Minor Rural Project (MRP) funds, by community leaders in his constituency.
He urged the leaders to ensure that the funds are utilised for their intended purposes, such as repairs to longhouses or village activities.
“Quite often I heard that in some longhouses, when the MRP is given out, the residents came to a consensus to just divide equally among them and spend it free.
“This defeats the intended purpose of obtaining the grant such as for repairs works to longhouses or activities to be carried out in the village.
“I urge that the Tuai Rumah be of more integrity and display good leadership and adhere to the 4T (Tegap, Teguh, Tegas, and Taat) concepts in making decisions,” Snowdan was quoted as saying in the press release.
Based on the press release, Snowdan presented 61 MRP cheques totaling RM628,000 to various organisations, including JKKK, Women’s Bureau, PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), clubs, churches, and associations during a dialogue session at Rh Bunan ak Bael, Kpg Ruan Lubang Tiong.
Temenggong Dato Harrison Lunsa and Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) (Corporate Management Division) Principal Assistant Secretary Elvis Didit also spoke at the event.
Among those present were Mohd Adam Abdullah (SAO Balai Ringin sub – district), Penghulu Pelie Jumbu, Penghulu Judi, representative from Pantu District office, more than 70 tuai rumah, women bureau members, and village residents from nearby villages. — DayakDaily
