BAU: Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep believes a more active socioeconomic state here could contribute to Bau’s development process.
He said the process of developing a town such as Bau relied heavily on this, especially in terms of its residents’ purchasing power.
“Bau is very developed in terms of infrastructure, but if the people here lack purchasing power, it means the socioeconomic state here is not active.”
Henry was speaking at the Bau Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Chinese New Year dinner at Bau Civic Centre here, on Wednesday.
He said in order for Bau to move forward, its residents must possess a stable income to have increased purchasing power.
“I was informed that people rarely stop by here when they’re on their way to Serikin (border town popular with locals and tourists alike) as there is not much attraction to entice them to stop here, and that is a big loss for us in terms of business.
“Once the road from Batu Kitang to Bau and from Bau to the Pan Borneo Highway at Kampung Sibuluh has been upgraded, it will provide connectivity and ease the travel of tourists around the area and provide many business opportunities for locals,” said Henry.
A sum of RM240mil was approved by the state government for the road upgrading project. A RM26-mil Gold Mine Museum will also be built at Tasik Biru.
Henry emphasised that once these developments were completed, many business opportunities would be provided for the people of Bau and thus, increasing their purchasing power.
“What we need in Bau now is accommodation. Once the road is completed, we want to be prepared.
“We want hotels and restaurants as well as shopping complex, and these are the opportunities for business people in Bau to start up now,” he added.
