By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Sept 25: Siburan meets all the criteria to be elevated as a full district said, Tarat Assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He said the Chief Minister’s announcement that Siburan will be elevated as a full district recently was indeed timely and welcome news.
“The news announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg recently in Serian was indeed a welcome news that we have been waiting for.
“In fact, three of us, YB Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong, YB Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and I have supported Siburan’s elevation to a full district. We have discussed this matter in several Divisional Committee meetings in the past four years,” Sagah told DayakDaily when contacted today.
He reiterated that Siburan sub-district has definitely meets the criteria to gain the status as a full-fledged district with its booming populations, amenities and tourism products.
“Siburan sub-district now has about 100,000 people and with three secondary schools namely Kolej Tun Abdul Razak (formerly known as Dragon Secondary School), SMK Siburan and SMK Padawan,” he said.
Sagah, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development pointed out that once Siburan attain full district status, it would be better managed as there will be more funding and resources to further develop it.
“Currently, there are numerous tourist attractions such as the Panchor hot spring, Jong Crocodile Farm and many ‘tagang’ system in place,” he said.
On Sept 23, Abang Johari had revealed that plans are now under way to elevate Siburan into a full district soon.
“We are studying it under SS (State Secretary) office on the possibility of upgrading Siburan sub-district into full district. But we have to look into the overall in terms of population and boundary in that particular area,” Abang Johari told a press conference after attending “leader-meet-the-people session held at SJK Chung Hua multipurpose hall in Serian on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Bidayuh Temenggong for Kuching Division, Austin Dimin echoed Sagah’s sentiment that it was indeed timely for Siburan to be elevated into a full district.
“If you ask me, I would definitely say said yes, because even now, Sinuran is bigger than most established districts in Sarawak, as we have the necessary population, amenities and economic activities to ensure its sustainability,” he said.
Besides Siburan Town, which is a bustling business centre that already has commercial banks, it also has smaller satellite towns such as Beratok and Tapah.
Meanwhile, Siburan sub-district Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO) Ranum Bari said Siburan has 54 villages including Siburan Town, Beratok Town and Tapah Town.
Its population consisted of the Bidayuhs, which forms the majority, Chinese, Ibans and Malays.—DayakDaily
