KUCHING, Oct 4: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that the Betong Division Development Agency’s (BDDA) biggest challenge will be getting the people to fully participate in all of its development programmes.
According to a statement, Uggah, who is also BDDA chairman, stated that without the participation of the people, the development objective would be a failure.
He asserted this in his speech today at the second laboratory for the BDDA Development Strategy 2030.
He went on to say that the BDDA is all about maximising the division’s overall development, particularly in the economic field.
“By 2030, we want the people here to have reached a high income status, with a high standard of living on par with other advanced communities.
“This can come about if we can fully utilise their land, harness their readiness and willingness to work hard for success, and accept new policies in doing things centred on new technologies.
“But, as an old proverb goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” he explained.
Uggah, who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman, highlighted that in the end, everyone, especially leaders and government officers from the implementing agencies, must do everything possible to persuade the people.
He continued stating that in the fifty years since independence, the government has done a lot to develop the State in terms of all vital infrastructures, utilities, and amenities, as well as the economy.
“However, remnants of poverty still exist throughout its rural areas, and the government intends to eradicate them through these new development agencies,” he mentioned.
Furthermore, of the RM1.5 billion allocated to the BDDA, Uggah stated that each State constituency would receive RM200 million, with Lingga receiving an initial RM30 million.
He clarified that this is because only about 10 per cent of the constituency falls under BDDA.
Moreover, he added that the remaining RM70 million would go to the common fund.
Uggah also said that the BDDA administrative centre would be located in Betong.
Additionally, he pointed out that the Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (Youth and Sports Development) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and the Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (Community Wellbeing Development) Mohammad Razi Sitam, would serve as deputy chairmen, with the rest of the assemblymen and Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor serving on the committee.
Meanwhile, in response to the need to improve Internet connectivity in the Betong division, Uggah noted that he had asked Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to extend the system used in Spaoh in order to upgrade it.
“Our Premier has directed the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) to make a study of the matter as the enhanced connectivity will benefit colleges and schools here too,” he remarked.
Earlier in his welcome address, Betong Resident Richard Micheal Abunawas stated that the laboratory would be used to fine-tune projects proposed in the first laboratory.
He stated that this was done to avoid duplication with projects approved from the usual government budget.
Also present were Rentap, Razi, Dayang Noorazah, Richard, Krian assemblyman Friday Belik, Kabong assemblyman Mohamad Chee Kadir, Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor, Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri, Sarawak Science Research advisor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, and political secretary to the Sarawak Premier Dr Richard Rapu. — DayakDaily
