‘Govt spent RM135.6 mln to supply water, power to rural homes in Bekenu’
MIRI: The government has allocated RM135.6 million to supply water and electricity to rural households across Bekenu constituency.
In addition to the funding, which was distributed between 2009 and last year, the government had also set aside another RM95 million for the second phase of a treatment plant project there, said Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Public Utilities Minister.
On this, he lauded Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Yunus, who is Bekenu assemblywoman, on her ongoing efforts and hard work in pursuing approval for these projects.
Elaborating on, Awang Tengah — also Industrial Development Minister —said the approved funding for the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) slated to benefit 1,226 households was RM71.3 million; while for the rural water supply project including the first phase of works on the water treatment plant in Niah, it amounted to RM65 million and should benefit 6,800 households.
“The government has also approved another RM95 million for the second phase of water supply programme.
“However, there is still much more to be done to connect more rural homes with the (power) grid,” he said in officiating at the opening of the ‘Bekenu Mukun Season 3’ competition at Bekenu basketball court on Friday night.
On the state constituency, Awang Tengah said Bekenu had transformed dramatically with better accessibility and social mobility, pointing out that education had changed the mindset and attitude of the people here.
For this, he hailed Rosey as the figure who was instrumental in realising the transformation.
“She has been working hard ever since she was elected assemblywoman, doing it in the best interests of her constituents. She certainly deserves your support in securing a handsome victory for BN (Barisan Nasional) and ‘Tok Adenan’ (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) team in the coming state election.”
“The transformation (of Bekenu) from a barely accessible area into a bustling, full-fledged district is a testimony of BN government’s commitment in bringing more development into the area — a contrast to the empty rhetoric of the opposition.
On the ‘bermukun’ (a traditional ensemble of singing, dancing and instrumental performances) programme, Awang Tengah said this should be preserved for posterity by the Malay-Medayan-Melanau community as a reflection of their identity.
Meanwhile, Rosey in her speech said it was very encouraging to see that ‘bermukun’ had attracted youths.
“This augurs well in our efforts to preserve the cultural heritage in this part of the country.”
She also welcomed the support shown by participating teams from outside the district such as Limbang, Mukah and Brunei in the third season of the ‘mukun’ competition, which had RTM as its organising collaborator.
The event was also attended by Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis and RTM Miri controller Tabad Sakai.