KUCHING: The Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) has submitted a list of over 70 proposed projects costing RM780 million to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his approval early this month.
Its chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they comprise amenities and infrastructure projects in eight state constituencies in the Betong Division.
“These are our top priority projects. This year, we wish to put all those approved into action as quickly as we can.
“We also want them delivered on time. Our next step is to meet the State Financial Secretary to finalise them,” he said when met by media after officiating at a Chinese New Year dinner organised by the Spaoh Chinese community here last night (Jan 28).
The deputy premier also noted that his committee had distributed the project list to all relevant departments in Spaoh so they could start making plans.
He added that even though BDDA had received a RM1.5 billion budget overall, the committee was currently spending RM740 million on the projects.
Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, said that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government was now part and parcel of the Unity Government.
“For the sake of a strong central government and political stability in the nation, GPS is building it along with the other like-minded political parties. This will allow the country to progress and prosper.
“Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been good to us. We now have Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, a local leader who is a deputy prime minister. This is the first time that a Sarawakian has been appointed to the top post in 60 years.
“Anwar too has increased the special grant to Sarawak, as provided for in Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, to RM300 million from previously only RM16 million,” he said.
Elaborating, he added that Anwar had approved a sum of RM1 billion to upgrade the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) complex at Sarawak and Sabah’s borders.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the function, Uggah called on the Chinese community in Spaoh to do their part in contributing to the town’s further development and prosperity.
He said there were many opportunities to be exploited with the many development projects to be implemented by the government and BDDA.
“We have the Bebuling STOLport, which is in active construction. When it is completed, we will have an alternative, albeit a much faster way, to reach more markets.
“We also have yet to tap our tourism potentials, as we have several attractions, such as the Bukit Sadok, which is the site of the fortress of the legendary Iban freedom fighter Rentap.
“We have numbers of traditional Iban longhouses, the homesteads in Malay kampung, and even our Sungai Paku, where crocodiles can be the attraction,” he pointed out.
While on agriculture, Uggah disclosed that Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) had a plan to do cattle farming.
During the event, Uggah and Betong Member of Parliament Dr Richard Rapu also gave ang pao packets to 35 senior citizens.
