PBB: Set up agency to conserve, develop old-world village heritage

Manyin presenting a proposal during the PBB Southern Zone convention at BCCK today (Oct 25, 2020)

By Adrian Lim

KUCHING, Oct 25: PBB senior vice-president Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong proposes to the state government to establish a special agency for the preservation of traditional villages.

Manyin said the agency will have the power and authority to plan for village expansion in the effort to preserve the concept of traditional villages in highly populated areas.

“This is aimed at strengthening the efforts to create traditional villages which will be equipped with modern infrastructure that fulfills all the needs.

“These consist of socio-economy (sic), education, digitalisation, community welfare, public health, recreation and environment sustainability,” he told delegates at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Special Convention at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

Manyin said this resolution was one of nine proposed without debate from all 26 branches in the PBB Southern Zone.

Manyin who is also Education, Science and Technological Research Minister said he also proposed to the state government to provide a better quality of education in Sarawak through autonomy from the federal government.

He added that he wants the state government to seek appropriate funding from the federal government to enable Sarawakian students to excel in their studies as well as overcome the issue of low student enrolment in hundreds of schools in Sarawak.

Manyin who is the Tebedu assemblyman also wants the state government to resolve issues relating to high turnover rate for teachers, lack of school facilities in rural areas as well as the lack of Science and Mathematics tutors which has affected rural students’ education and academic performance.

Additionally, he expressed hope the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will implement better housing development projects, in particular affordable housing, to B40 and M40 income groups and young couples throughout Sarawak to overcome problems associated with densely populated areas in towns.

Manyin also proposed to the state government to draft a holistic plan to create vibrant domestic and international trade for Sarawak as well as to create more business and employment opportunities in all economic sectors covering various towns and rural areas. — DayakDaily