By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Aug 25: The mission and focus of the Sarawak government since the state gained independence is to develop both rural and urban areas holistically, says Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
“The state government under the leadership of our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has always pursued development agendas to develop rural and urban areas in Sarawak.
“Slowly but surely this development both in human capital, economy and basic infrastructure continues taking place,” he said.
Dennis made these remarks at a ceremony to mark the closing of a programme to strengthen the Penan community on Friday in Long Latei.
Nearly 500 Penans were present at the programme.
Dennis said , for people in Ulu Baram this could be clearly seen in and further supported by the huge allocation by Abang Johari to the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
“A total of RM1.5 billion worth of allocations has been put aside to develop infrastructure such as roads and amenities, and water treatment plants in the constituencies (Telang Usan and Mulu). All these are to be implemented starting this year as directed by the Chief Minister,” he said.
“Some of us may not be aware of how these billions of ringgit worth of projects could now take place in Telang Usan, a never heard or taken notice of place before in rural areas like ours….All these years we have heard about rural areas given focus but little really took place,” he said.
“This is because without funds or resources, nothing much could be done as the cost to bring the much needed development we rural people crave for is huge.
“This is where we Sarawakians can count our blessings for God has blessed our state with a brilliant leader like Abang Johari who with his deep and wide political knowledge is able to develop new revenue streams for the state of Sarawak, and thus enable the state to secure extra income to the tune of billions in ringgit from taxes imposed on the state natural resources, oil and gas,” he said.
Dennis urged people in Telang Usan to give their undivided support to the Chief Minister who, he said, has proven his capability to protect the state and bring huge development using state funds.
He also brushed aside claims that the Penan community in the state is being sidelined.
“They (outsiders) must come here and see for themselves the development that we have done for the community, rather than making baseless claims,” he said. — DayakDaily
