MIRI: The state government is taking over the operations of Betong and Bekenu Rural Transformation Centres (RTC) after the federal government suspended the centres’ funding since the beginning of this year.
In disclosing this after the launch of a bird-singing competition in Bekenu yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state government has agreed to fully finance the two centres (RTC Betong and Bekenu) and RM380,000 has been approved for the purpose.
“In the previous BN federal government, RTCs were under the Ministry of Rural Development and since the PH government took over, it has stopped financing RTCs ,” he said.
Uggah also pointed out that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was aware of the importance of RTCs.
“RTC is a crucial feature in the rural area by providing services for the benefit of the rural folk and should be continued,” Uggah said.
He also assured that RTC Betong and Bekenu will continue to operate.
Yesterday’s competition, held at Bekenu community hall, attracted some 650 participants comprising not only locals but also Bruneians and Indonesians.
Uggah, who is also Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, was accompanied by Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus and Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat. They later went to Kpg Kayu Kapur about five kms from Bekenu to see buffalo rearing in the village.
During the visit to the village (Kpg Kayu Kapur), Uggah announced an allocation of RM510,000 to build a facility for buffalo breeding and rearing in the village.
The village has 730 acres of land for buffalo breeding and rearing. At present, there are 150 buffaloes in the village.
“We want to improve the breeding of buffaloes but the existing infrastructure need to be upgraded so that we can have bigger and healthier buffaloes for the purpose (breeding). In one or two years’ time, we should have a proper breeding area for buffaloes,” he said.
After the brief visit to Kampung Kayu Kapur, Uggah and his entourage went to a stingless (kelulut) honey bee farm in Kampung Selanyau, Bekenu.
Uggah, when met later, said that the state government through his ministry is planning to set up a stingless honey processing centre in the village as part of the government’s effort to improve income of the rural populace through agricultural activities.
“At this processing centre, we can monitor the production and pack the honey of the stingless bees to ensure they are safe to consume and of high quality,” he said.
“Our Ministry is also trying to collaborate with researchers of Yunnan Agriculture University, Yunnan Province, China on how to produce more and high quality honey,” he added.
Uggah, in his brief welcoming speech, also called on the local folk to diversify their agriculture products to improve their income.
