CM announces 44 rural transformation projects for Bintulu

BINTULU: Forty-four rural transformation projects (RTPs) costing RM28 million have been approved for Kakus, Jepak and Kemena constituencies.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem told the crowd attending the ‘Majlis Mesra Rakyat’ event at RPR Sebiew Field on Saturday night that these projects would be implemented by four government agencies.

Public Works Department (JKR) has been entrusted with 31 of these projects, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) (eight), Rural Water Supply Department (four) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID)(one).

“It is hoped that these projects would benefit the people in Bintulu, particularly those in rural areas.”

At the gathering, Adenan presented grants totalling RM550,000 to reconstruct 11 terraced houses at A6 and B11 of RPR Sebiew that were burnt down in 2013.

In his speech, Adenan said his administration had made many important decisions ever since he helmed the state on Feb 28, 2014.

“In just two years, we have made a lot of decisions that benefited Sarawak. So, why don’t you give me another five years?

“That is all I want—five more years. Give me the chance. Try me. If I’m not good, kick me out, and I’ll be happy to go out.”

He said his first decision upon becoming the state’s chief executive was to protect the dignity of Sarawakians.

“I don’t want Sarawakians be called ‘lain-lain’. We are not others. We are humans, and we have traditions, cultures and others. We are citizens of Malaysia, like everybody else.”

He reiterated that the Chinese were not illegal foreigners; thus, he did not want them to be labelled as ‘pendatang’.

On politics, he said he had also been firm in his decision not to allow Umno to spread its wings in the state.

“We don’t want Umno to enter Sarawak. With PBB, SPDP, SUPP, PRS, enough is enough. We don’t want Umno because they are a peninsular-based party. We also don’t want DAP, PKR and PAS.

“Who knows Sarawak better than Sarawakians themselves? We understand our people. They can come here to help but not register their branches here.”

On his fight against illegal logging, Adenan said he was still baffled why the authorities concerned only managed to seize everything, including the logs and equipment, but not the culprits.

“There must be spies informing them. It must be from the Forest (Department), not all, but some of them.”

On requests for autonomy, Adenan reiterated: “We are not part of the state in Malaysia, we are one of the founders. If we didn’t agree in 1963, there would be no Malaysia. So, we need to be treated fairly.”

The good news, he said, was that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had agreed he would only negotiate with BN Sarawak on this issue, and not with others.

Present at the gathering were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunication) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari and Bintulu Development Authority general manager Rodziah Morshidi.