MIRI: An allocation amounting to RM1.5 billion has been approved by the State government for the implementation of 43 infrastructures projects under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) in the Baram Parliamentary constituency comprising the Telang Usan and Mulu state constituencies.
In revealing this, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also HDA Chairman said the projects would be closely monitored by the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA). “These projects will commence next year (2019) until 2020 in stages, to bring a faster pace of development to the highland areas through commercial agriculture,” Uggah said.
He added that the projects involved are 21 construction of rural roads projects (RM1,264 million); water supply projects costing RM210 million (20 projects) and two electricity supply projects costing RM25.6 million. “These projects cover the Baram Parliamentary constituency which comprises the Telang Usan and Mulu state constituencies,” Uggah said at a press conference after attending a special briefing session with 280 participants on HDA’s development at a hotel here yesterday morning.
Uggah strongly believed that the establishment of HDA as a platform will speed up Baram’s development which covers the Telang Usan and Mulu state constituencies. HDA covers a total area of 18,462 sq km with a population of around 75,120.
“We of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) aim to solve the problems of the rakyat (people) and bring development to them. That is why we establish HDA, Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) and the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA). “These areas are still left behind in terms of socio-economic activities .
Through these agencies the State government is trying to transform rural areas with the help of RECODA so that these areas would not be left far behind,” Uggah said, adding that through HDA, the State government is aiming to chart plans to further development various potential industries in this region, such as agriculture, livestock rearing and fruit plantations (pineapple and durian planting).
He also hoped that with better infrastructure in the areas, items produced can be delivered on time to consumers. Hence, Uggah called on the people in the HAD development areas to give their undivided support to GPS under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg. “We must give our full and undivided support to Abang Jo as we have a lot of potential assets in our beloved land that we need to protect. Only GPS can administer Sarawak better than anyone else.
“Only Sarawakians know how to manage Sarawak and its assets,” he reiterated. Participants of the briefing session comprised community leaders from Baram areas, representatives of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and government departments and agencies. On another note, when asked on his hopes for the 2019 budget to be tabled in Parliament today (Friday), Uggah hoped that there will be a huge allocation to his ministry (Ministry for Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development). The Pakatan Harapan government ‘s 2019 National Budget will be tabled in Parliament today (2 Nov).
Also present were Mulu State Assemblyman, Dato Gerawat Gala who is also HDA Deputy Chairman, Telang Usan State Assemblyman, Dennis Ngau, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Chief Executive Officer of Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), Ismawi Ismuni.
