BY MOHD ZAHID AHMAD ZAKI
WHEN passing through the Pan Borneo Highway, Layar, located in Betong, is a mandatory stopover for drivers either travelling from south to north or vice versa.
This is enough to prove that Layar is the focus of public attention because of its good infrastructure.
However, developing an area is not an easy task. Layar state assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu shares with Suara Sarawak here the challenges he faced in developing his constituency.
NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE: You were elected as the Layar assemblyman in 2016. What initiatives have been taken to gain the people’s trust so far?
RENTAP: I have been involved in politics for a long time, starting from the grassroots level.
I was appointed a member of the Supreme Council of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth Movement in 1996 and have served under the leadership of five Youth leaders, namely, the late Tan Sri Celestine Ujang, Datuk Seri Gramong Juna, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (who was then acting Youth chief) as well as Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
This experience was a very meaningful because it indirectly taught me how to manage a political party.
Meanwhile, at the Layar constituency level, I used to hold a position at the Youth branch. It gave me many opportunities to work together with the people in resolving various issues or carrying out community and recreational activities.
Therefore, I feel that the people are also confident in my abilities not only because I am the successor of my father (Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu).
How do you make sure the voices of the people are always heard?
During this Covid-19 pandemic, I am very grateful to the Betong Disaster Management Committee (JPBB) for working diligently to address this problem.
As the coordinator of JPBB, appointed by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee), I will always attend every meeting whether online or physically because we always want to resolve any issues as soon as possible.
We will do our best to expedite or carry out whatever tasks and demands requested by the people according to ability.
Previously, you had discussed with the secretary of the Betong District Council the proposal to further expand the rural market products.
I plan to build a three-storey building to accommodate 143 small stalls and food stalls as well as provide parking spaces to avoid traffic congestion.
The project will be able to increase the income of locals through business.
So far, we have put together a plan and it has also received consideration from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and even the Chief Minister has supported the proposal.
In my opinion, if we go to a place abroad, the first place we will visit is the market to find goods.
So, if we are innovative, Layar has the potential to be further developed.
In terms of income, I believe the economy of the local people will definitely increase, especially now that the price of palm oil has reached thousands of ringgit.
Can you tell us about the efforts to develop education in the Layar constituency?
An educational development committee has been set up to help students from preschools to institutions of higher learning.
For example, in collaboration with Jolly Phonics, we help preschoolers so they can read and write before entering Year One. This will ease the burden on teachers to teach the alphabet in school.
Other initiatives include providing workbooks for each subject for primary school students as well as those who sit for public examinations such as SPM, STPM and others.
For Form Five students, each is given a tablet for learning use. More than 300 units, costing around RM150,000, were donated. These costs are not all borne by me because I also get sponsorship from outside parties. In this regard, I would like to thank those involved.
In addition, all residents in the Layar constituency also need to play their part in order to improve and further develop this area together.
Rural Transformation Programme projects such as building fortifications, paving the roads and others have been completed. What are your plans after this?
Agriculture in Layar Constituency has the potential to thrive.
For your information, youth between the ages of 25 and 26 have already become producers of Golden Melons, chillies, ginger and other products through the fertigation process.
The construction of the Pan Borneo Highway shows a positive development. The road towards Lidong to the bridge in Sri Aman is also being built now.
While waiting for the road to open, I plan to further expand the market of local products so that there is a variety of goods for sale as this area will be a public attraction.
Therefore, we need to be prepared to implement various economic activities that can attract outsiders to come here.
So far, what are the things you are most proud of, especially in helping the people in your constituency?
The thing I am most proud of this year is the academic improvement among students.
This year, more than 40 Form Six students successfully entered the universities. Their achievement is also very commendable with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of not less than 3.2.
Therefore, they should be given the opportunity to further their studies and for that, they can apply for assistance from us to ease their expenses.
Since 2016, I can say that the number of students who get offers to continue their studies at the university level has increased.
In your opinion, does Layar have the potential to be a developing area in the future?
There is a lot of potential here but it is not exposed, and it requires long-term planning to open up jobs to locals.
I believe the Betong District Council will also change its status to a municipal council by 2030. This will help provide more services to the people in Layar.
At the same time, the sustainability of the area needs to be taken care of. For example, garbage should be disposed of in the right place to maintain the beauty of nature so that it can be an attraction for tourists to visit this area in the future.
What are your challenges as an elected representative?
The most challenging for me is in terms of providing Internet connection to the people. So far, there are two longhouses that have been provided with this facility.
Therefore, I hope there is a positive change in the area because internet services are very important, especially for students to conduct their home-based teaching and learning (PDPR) sessions.
However, I hope that this matter can be resolved as soon as possible because the service is very much needed by all citizens.
So far, there are no issue in terms of road connectivity, electricity and water supplies as well as other facilities.
How do you help in terms of infrastructure construction?
In terms of infrastructure, various projects have been done, especially involving roads. One of the major achievements is the construction of road from Linsong to Krapa.
It is a major road for farmers. Previously, they took about two days to reach their destination. But now, the trip only takes about two hours. If the accessibility to get to a place is there, the movements to and fro will be easier.
At the same time, it is also able to increase the potential for an area to grow while opening more areas that can increase the incomes of local residents.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to previous leaders for their commitment and vision to develop Betong.
We will ensure that this struggle and continuity continues.
The 12th State Election is coming. What strength is needed to maintain Layar?
In my opinion, an elected representative must be someone who has an equal commitment to every community.
It’s easier to say than to execute. Therefore, we must do our best to provide the best service to the people.
In addition, elected representatives should not practise favouritism or discrimination against the people. The people themselves can see and evaluate anything we do for them, and it is up to them to choose because this is a democratic process.
