BETONG: Betong will continue to see even brighter days ahead, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
He said that 17 years after its elevation from a district to a division, it has already achieved much.
“With strategic plans and programmes in place especially in the agricultural sector, I am confident Betong will surge ahead to even greater heights,” he said when officiating at its divisional level Gawai Dayak celebration at Tan Sri Stephen Kaling Ningkan Hall here on Saturday night.
Uggah also paid tribute to Tan Sri Alfred Jabu whom he said had done a lot for Betong, being its development architect when he was in service.
“For instance, the Betong parliamentary constituency enjoyed 95 per cent power supply coverage and 95 per cent treated water supply coverage, he said.
Moving on to education, Uggah noted that the division has many graduates who have become professionals.
“We have quite a number of educational institutions like the Junior Mara College, the Betong Polytechnic and the Betong Community College.
“In addition, there are good roads to almost every place and the government will soon build 15 new telecommunication towers,” he said.
Uggah, who is also the Bukit Saban state assemblyman, revealed that this year, the government had approved projects worth about RM600 million.
This, he said, did not include the cost of building the second trunk road to pass through this town.
He said overall, the people were enjoying better standard of living compared to 20 or 30 years back, if the daily traffic congestion in the town and their spending power were any indication.
“Now, with the state government focused on building up Sarawak to be a high-income society by 2030, we must plan our moves.
“One way is to develop the agricultural sector to make the state a net food exporter by that year.
“We have great potentials – land, the Sadok Agropolitan and the Betong food basket area,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said the government has plans and programmes to help the people participate in the process.
On unity, he stressed the people must continue to zealously maintain and develop it.
“We must preserve our racial unity and harmony at all cost in order for all our planned development plans and strategies to be implemented smoothly,” he stressed.
In this respect, he said they should reject all those who habitually spread lies (especially on social media) to discredit the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government and its leaders.
Concerning the perimeter survey of native customary rights (NCR) land under Section 6 of the state land code, he pointed out that the issue is a favourite of lie mongers and fake news makers/spreaders.
“They will continue to spin lies to disparage us, so just deny them any attention. They are a very divisive force.
“Section 6 is not a ploy by the government to grab the people’s land as alleged. This we can assure you,” he said.
Uggah also presented study incentives and other forms of aid to outstanding students in the division.
Meanwhile, Mary Queen Ambrose Karim, 25 was named as Betong district Kumang Gawai 2019 at Betong’s Gawai Dayak dinner which was held at Dewan Sukan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan yesterday night.
The ‘dara bajik’ from Betong went home with RM2,200 cash as well as Kumang sash, trophy, hand bouquet, hamper, souvenir and certificate.
Mary, who is a management executive working in the private sector was seen as being knowledgeable and skilled in communication. She also won the best ‘ngepan’ award which allowed her to rake in an additional RM500 in cash.
Meanwhile, the Lulong Gawai title went to Sibu’s Elizabeth Lydiana Bujang. The Labuan Matriculation College student won RM1,700 cash as well as trophy, hand bouquet, hamper, souvenir and certificate.
Ullia Ulanda, a civil engineering student from Kuching Polytechnic won the Selinggar Matahari Gawai title. The 20-year-old Kuching resident won RM1,200 cash as well trophy, hand bouquet, hamper, souvenir and certificate.
The other five finalists were Maria Madelina Sujie, 23 (Kuching), Catherine Annda Thomas, 21 (Saratok), Marvis Rirak Mandau, 27 (Betong), Helena Vanissa Humphrey, 21 (Betong) and Caroline Yak Eka, 21 (Betong).
They were all given consolation prizes that includes RM700 cash as well trophy, hand bouquet, hamper, souvenir and certificate.
Also present at the event were former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Tan Sri Empiang Jabu; Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat and Datin Claudia Janting; and Layar state assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu.
