PANTU, Aug 24: Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan urged the state government to set up a body or authority to boost and oversee infrastructure, economic and social development of Sri Aman and its surrounding districts.
He suggested that a similar body should also be set up for Sri Aman much like the Upper Rejang Development Authority (URDA) in Kapit, Integrated Regional Samarahan Agency (IRSDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA) in Baram and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) in Limbang and Lawas.
“Me and by colleagues opined that there is a need for a body or authority to boost and oversee infrastructure, economic and social development of Sri Aman and its surrounding districts, proposed to be called the Sri Aman Development Authority (SADA),” he said.
“This is because we have seen the success and positive impact brought by URDA, IRSDA, HDA and NRDA,” he addressed the launching of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Zone 6 (comprising of Balai Ringin, Bukit Begunan, Simanggang, Engkilili and Batang Ai state constituencies) at Lachau here this morning.
Snowdan pointed out that the people of Sri Aman and surrounding rural districts are looking forward for the setting up of SADA following news that Indonesia was planning to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan which would present many socio-economic benefits.
“The Sri Aman division is bordering West Kalimantan, and we don’t want to just be spectators in this development. I believe SADA would be able to help us anticipate the positive development, in hopes that the spillover effect would bring positive impact in terms of economy and culture for Sri Aman,” he explained.
Snowdan, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, believed that SADA can play crucial role in changing business-as-usual culture and improved productivity that in turn can increase the pace of development in Sri Aman.
At the same time, he said once the Pan Borneo Highway is completed together with the second trunk road connecting the Coastal Highway, coupled by Kalimantan’s development, Sri Aman folks would be able to take part in the development once SADA is up and running.
“We want to be players and managers, and make our own move for development in Sri Aman to encourage its pace of development,” he added.— DayakDaily
