BINTULU, May 25: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) members and those from other Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties must redouble their efforts to prevent the Kakus and Tamin state seats from being captured by the opposition in the next state election, due in 2021.
“We lost Selangau to PKR in the last parliamentary election. We must not lose Kakus and Tamin, which form the Selangau seat. We must win,” emphasised Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at a pre-Gawai Dayak dinner organised by PBB Wanita Kakus last night.
Uggah, who is PBB deputy president, called on the people to support all GPS candidates.
“When your overwhelming mandate is given to the GPS government, it can soldier on with its job of defending the state’s rights, its wealth and its immigration autonomy, among others,” he said.
On development matters, for instance, he said the GPS-led state government had drawn up comprehensive programmes for the whole state.
“In the field of agriculture, for example, we are now actively transforming the sector to be a modern, hi-tech and commercial one. We aim to be a net food exporter by the year 2030.
“By then (2030), we also want to completely remove the remnants of poverty in the state,” he assured.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, also said a Durian Tree Rehabilitation and Maintenance course would be organised for farmers in Kakus and Tamin this July.
“Last year, Sarawak exported 100 tonnes of durian paste to China. For this year, we are looking at increasing this to more than 200 tonnes,” he said.
He again advised the rural folks to venture into the agricultural sector.
“You all have huge tracts of land, and you all have been known to be hard working. These are the fundamentals that you already have. Combine them with modern agricultural inputs to increase your productivity and income” he advised.
Uggah, meanwhile, said GPS’ `Sarawak First’ philosophy amply demonstrated that it was giving priority to all state interests and that of its people.
On this note, he said he would talk to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the need to have more development allocations for Tamin and Kakus.
On another matter, Uggah described the relationship between the GPS government and the PH federal government as still very good and friendly.
“State leaders are often invited to Putrajaya to discuss important issues. For instance, I have been appointed the joint chairman of a committee to monitor the implementation of federal projects in the state together with Works Minister Baru Bian,” he said.
At the gathering, Uggah announced a RM30,000 grant to Kakus PBB, while Kakus elected representative Datuk John Sikie Tayai chipped in RM10,000 and GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi gave RM5,000.
A highlight of the evening was the `Kumang Gawai Contest’. It was won by Debby Allisandra Unyi, while Pretty Sophia Banting and Bibiana Jimbun came in second and third, respectively.
For their winnings, they received RM1,000, RM800 and RM500 cash plus extras from Sikie’s wife, Datin Melia Bajok. — DayakDaily
