By Lian Cheng
SRI AMAN, Oct 25: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that Sri Aman town is to be renamed “Simanggang” while the name of the division remains as Sri Aman Division.
He said this was an unanimous decision made in the cabinet based on the request from the people of the area.
“Simanggang has a long history where in history, the name of Simanggang has been mentioned. We at the cabinet meeting was trying to find ways to remember that part of history.
“This town will be called Simanggang and the division is called Sri Aman,” he addressed the launching of Pesta Benak Sri Aman 2019 here today.
Abang Johari did not dismiss the historical significance of “Sri Aman” which he said will continue to be used to remember the part of history where a contract was signed to put an end to communist insurgency in Sarawak.
On the development of Sri Aman, he assured that the town would not be passed amid Sarawak’s development as it is a point of meeting for both the Second Trunk Road and the Pan Borneo Highway.
“There are many development programmes we have in store for Sri Aman in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP),” he said.
A new brand new Civic Centre, he informed, is among the many development projects for Sri Aman under the 12MP.
“Sri Aman will be built as a modern city. But Sarawak must stay united. Those who are governing Sarawak must be local Sarawakians,” he reminded.
“Those who are not from Sarawak don’t even know what is ‘Benak’ (tidal wave) or our ways of life. Only Sarawakians can govern Sarawak well because our hearts are for Sarawak,” he said.
Unlike those from Peninsular Malaysia, Abang Johari added that they would come for a short while and then they were gone, leaving behind nothing but only quarrels. — DayakDaily
