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Good infrastructure vital to state’s progress

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Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (right) with Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (second left) flag off the Sarawak Unity Walk 2020 while Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib (left) Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sport cum organising chairman of the event Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third left) look on at Simanggang Civic Centre. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

SIMANGGANG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak needed an efficient infrastructure system so that it could become a developed state by 2030.

He said this when officiating at the state-level “Hari Kebangsaan” (National Day) celebration at Sri Aman Civic Centre in Simanggang on Monday (Aug 31).

Abang Johari delivers his speech. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“That is why the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government has invested so much in providing infrastructure throughout Sarawak,” he added.

The chief minister said Sri Aman Division would be developed through the Sri Aman Development Area (Sada) chaired by Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Karim Abdul Karim.

“The ongoing masterplan study will suggest how the potential of the Sri Aman Division in various sectors including agriculture and tourism can be optimised to enhance the economic status of the area,” he explained.

In his speech, Abang Johari also stressed the importance of peace, harmony and political stability to the development of a state.

Buda Ancah rises the Jalur Gemilang. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

Apart from physical development, the state government, he pointed out, had introduced various forms of assistance to the people of Sarawak such as the post-natal care assistance worth RM450 to pregnant mothers, the RM1 flat rate bus fare as well as the free school bus service in Kuching.

The free school bus service, he added, would eventually be extended to other towns in the state including Simanggang.

Abang Johari added the state government had also provided three packages of Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) assistance amounting to RM2.55 billion to help ease the burden of Sarawakians during the Covid-19 crisis.

“These were necessary to complement the federal government’s Bantuan Prihatin Nasional assistance, he said.

The same event was graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.

Tun Taib and Abang Johari flagged off the “Unity Walk” which was the highlight of the state-level “Hari Kebangsaan”.

Abang Johari later joined the 250 participants as they walked 1.5km around Simanggang Town.

Among those present at the celebration were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is also minister-in-charge of the celebration, other Cabinet ministers and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.

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