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Mawan questions study on Pakan as nation’s poorest

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KUCHING: Perplexed Pakan assemblyman questioned the accuracy of a study which identified Pakan as among the poorest and most backward districts in the country.

Saying his piece in an interview with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), CATS FM and TV Sarawak at his office here yesterday, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said he was “truly puzzled if not confused by the findings”.

According to Mawan, formerly the state Social Development Minister, Pakan’s poverty apparently was based on the outcome of a study carried out for the Rural Development Policy under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

“Pakan has been ranked seventh among the 10 poorest districts in the country.

“The people of Pakan, me included, are deeply shocked and feel very embarrassed and ashamed by the outcome of the study,” he lamented.

He felt the outcome of the study, which was carried out via random survey, left much to be desired.

“The reality is that, close to 98 percent of Pakan area has enjoyed a reliable power supply while 68 percent of the settlements had received piped water.”

On this note, he invited the Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun and the economic analyst Assoc Prof Dr Madeline Buma to personally come to Pakan to verify the information gathered by the study.

“To my knowledge, none of the local populace had to starve or beg for food from people,” he added.

Recently, a local newspaper had quoted Rina’s exposure of Pakan as the poorest district in the country with an average household income of RM2,760 a month.

Aside from Pakan, the study also identified Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Selangau, Simunjan and Daro as among the 10 poorest districts in the country.

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