SPAOH: More discussions will be held on development priorities under the newly formed Betong Integrated Development Agency (BIDA).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said an initial discussion was recently held with all elected representatives and several government officials in the division.
“Our next discussion will involve all the community leaders in the division,” he said at a Gawai Dayak/Ziarah UKAS Programme jointly organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bukit Saban branch and UKAS Betong yesterday.
“BIDA has been allocated a RM1.5 billion fund and we need to decide on our priorities.
“We want to speed up our development process here including in the socio economic fields in order to generate income for the people,” he said.
Uggah added that BIDA was a gift from Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari to thank the people of Betong for their continuing strong support of the government.
In the last state election, Uggah said the people had given their strong support to GPS candidates in Layar, Bukit Saban, Saribas, Krian, Beting Maro, Kalaka, Kabong and Lingga constituencies.
“Now BIDA covers these constituencies, as well as parts of Lingga and the Betong and Batang Lupar parliamentary seats.
“We hope in the coming parliamentary election, the people will give similar strong support to GPS candidates for Betong and Batang Lupar.
“Ignore those coming to offer themselves if they are not from GPS. They are just opportunists with no practical agenda or the strong backing to offer any help,” said the Bukit Saban assemblyman.
On agriculture, Uggah reiterated his call for the people to take up livestock and pond fish breeding besides other agricultural activities.
“I have often given this advice before but so far not many have responded. With the demands for meat and fish constantly on the rise, there are very good commercial potentials here.
“We can even help with the marketing, and we are also going to have the airport at Bebuling to reach out to the markets,” he said.
Present at the gathering were Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat and political secretary to Sarawak Premier Dr Richard Rapu.
