By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 10: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, has voiced his frustration over Agro Bank’s indecision regarding the reopening of its branch in Spaoh.
Speaking to the media today, Uggah emphasised that the bank’s reluctance to resume operations in the area is depriving the local community of a crucial service.
“I met some community leaders here, and they, too, expressed their disappointment over the matter.
“The branch was closed down when the old sub-district office where it was located needed to be demolished to make way for a new office a few years ago.
“The new office is now ready and the community here expected the bank to reopen its branch. But sadly, this has yet to happen, and they are still waiting,” he was quoted as saying in a press statement.
He went on to say that both he and Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu have made considerable efforts to facilitate the branch’s reopening.
“I had a number of discussions with officers from the bank. Dr Richard had also raised the matter in the parliament sitting.
“We even offered them a place. The bank officers had requested that one of the Betong government agencies have a fixed deposit account at the bank.
“So the Betong District Council had a few years ago deposited RM2 million in compliance with the condition for the reopening. But sad to say, until now, nothing has materialised—no follow-up,” he explained.
Uggah added that the bank officers initially proposed reopening one of the shoplots here.
“They then also suggested doing so in the new sub-district office. They even scouted for a possible site at the Community Digital Centre and the new Spaoh market.
“An offer too was made to them to take up space at one of the new shop lots—even at the extent of reduced monthly rent or no rent at all. But there is still no decision.”
In his appeal, the minister urged Agro Bank to end the delays.
“Please stop the dilly-dally as there are office spaces available. Please solve your problem(s) whatever it or they might be.
“This is, after all, not about opening up a new branch but reviving a former one,” he said.
Earlier in the day, during his weekly visit to his constituency, Uggah inspected a pilot greenhouse project at SMK Spaoh.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the fertigation initiative, which currently includes vegetable and chilli cultivation.
“This is actually meant to be a showcase of modern farming to the folks here. I hope the school authority can do hydroponic farming as well. I will do my best to support this undertaking,” Uggah noted. — DayakDaily
