JOHN Ilus (GPS-Bukit Semuja) suggested for the establishment of Kuching Serian Hinterland Development Agency (KUSHDA) to consolidate or enhance further developments for Greater Kuching.
He said that the Kuching Serian hinterland stretches from Lundu, Bau, Penrissen, Padawan, and up to Serian, including Balai Ringin. The proposed agency shall consist of four main objectives.
“Firstly, on food security, whereby these areas have been identified as one of the contributors for the food basket of the state.
“Secondly, our border security where the need arises as these areas share our common boundary with neighbouring country, Indonesia.
“Thirdly, the construction of Bengoh Dam is the main source of raw water supply to Greater Kuching and its surrounding areas for household and industry use, thus water supply is also very important.
“Lastly, other forms of developments, be it physical or non-physical, have to be established to complement or substitute to Greater Kuching,” he said when debating on the motion of thanks to the Head of State at the DUN sitting yesterday.
He added that KUSHDA would work all government and implementing agencies to fast tract the planning and implementation of development programmes.
“Thus, akin to URDA, SADA, IRSDA, and other development authorities in the state, it is very timely for our GPS government to seriously consider the establishment of KUSHDA to look into matters as stated above.
“With our neighbouring country moving its capital to Kalimantan, we must be ready and anticipate that the spillover effect will somehow or rather meet some of the objectives,” he said.
