SPAOH, June 9: Ten surau from four kampung here each received a grant of RM100,000 from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government today.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah presented the cheques to the respective surau chairman or their representatives durnig a Hari Raya Aidilfitri visit to the area.
Speaking at these surau before the presentations, he said the grants were meant to upgrade or repair the houses of workship.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had approved a sum of RM500,000 for the same purpose for the Spaoh mosque in next year’s budget.
Uggah in a statement today said these allocations indicated the government was concerned for the welfare of the 4,000-strong Muslim community here.
He also called on the various surau committees to do their part in providing religious and moral guidance to the youth.
“Steer them away from destructive activities like drug abuse and reckless motorcycle riding and speeding on public roads,” he urged.
Meanwhile touching on Spaoh’s future, Uggah said although much had been done for the sub district, a lot more needed to be done.
“The future will be full of challenges but with the support and co-operation of all, we can overcome them. Our focus now is how to generate or increase the people’s income.
“We have identified some agricultural activities that we believe can benefit them,” said Uggah.
“The whole Betong Division and its nearby areas…..they have huge potential in commercial agriculture. That is why we even have plan for an airport to transport agricultural products to overseas markets.
“The government has set aside a sum of RM100 million for this airport,” he said.
Uggah who is the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development said model projects using modern farming concepts like fertigation and hydroponics would be set up here to publicise as well as promote these concepts.
In this regard, he urged local government pensioners to help.
He said they could organise themselves to become the local think tank in working closely with the government in planning for more development and progress.
Betong Member of Parliament Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident Friday Belik and his deputy Abang Mohammad Abang Trukey and Betong District Officer Sofhi Jebal were among those accompanying Uggah on the visits. — DayakDaily
