INCUMBENT:
William Mawan Ikom (BN-SPDP)
Last May 5, 2013 Election Result:
1. William Mawan Ikom (BN-SPDP): 11,600 votes
2. Ali Biju (PR-PKR): 9,519 votes
3. Rosli Bin Lek @ Abg Roselie Abg Paleng (IND): 681 votes
Majority: 2,081 votes
PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY
Saratok parliamentary constituency has been enjoying an influx of developments lately as allocations from the federal government had been put to good use.
Three areas in the Saratok district, Kabong, Sungai Bah, Emplam in Kabong, Sungai Wong in Roban and Melupa in Krian Tengah, Saratok, have been gazetted as Native Communal Reserve under Section 6 of the State Land Code, benefiting 902 families in the area.
Basic infrastructure for longhouse residents remains the most challenging task for current Saratok incumbent, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom. It not only costs RM25,000 to provide electricity to each household, but would require many poles, lengthy cables and agreement from landowners for wayleave. However, with the implementation of the Rural Electricity Supply (RES) projects, longhouses along Jalan Genenga Amut are enjoying electricity.
Construction of the 64.486 kilometre section of the Pan Borneo Highway which connects Sungai Awik to the Bintagor junction in the Sarikei Division is currently in progress at 11.33 per cent.
The Rural and Regional Development Ministry through the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) had allocated RM7.97 million for the Gunung Sadok Agropolitan Project in Awik. The allocation was given mainly for the planting of high-quality rubber trees. The project was due to start production within this year.
In 2014, Saratok was recognised by the federal government as the best in Sarawak in terms of providing assistance to the people. This speaks volumes for the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government’s efforts to lift the rural people’s living standard. The constituency was among 14 parliamentary constituencies that won the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) Programme Membantu Rakyat (Membara) competition.
This is evident with the numerous projects, grants and tenders given out and implemented in Saratok. Additional units under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) are constantly being built.
During the drought in August 2014 which affected 22,177 victims in three areas of the Saratok District, a total of RM240,979 was spent by the Welfare Department to ensure an even distribution of treated water.
With the operation of the RM114 million Kaki Wong Treatment Plant from October 2014, Saratok residents could finally enjoy treated water, solving the water crisis previously faced as the plant has the capacity to supply 25 million litres of water daily. Apart from Saratok town, the water supply is also channelled to Tengalat, Melupa, Hulu Krian, Debak, Pusa, Beladin and Roban. Several high-pressure water tanks were also installed in Kabong by the state’s Public Works Department.
More than 50,000 residents in and around Saratok, Kabong and Roban towns have been enjoying a better lifestyle, thanks to the extensive cultivation of oil palm in the last two decades.
Several important government agencies including MARDI, FELCRA, MPOB and RISDA are on the ground to provide assistance, guidance to the farmers who form the majority of the area’s population.
The constant and steady development of Saratok parliamentary constituency is proof of how far Sarawak has come in terms of progress under the BN Government. For the upcoming election, polling districts of Saratok will include Pelunga, Perpat, Kaba, Saratok, Tengalat, Senyawan, Mudong, Brayang, Batu Anam, Diso, Awik, Melupa, Kabo, Gerenjang, Bajau, Krangan, Nyabor, Roban and Kabong.
