MP: Master plan should consider Dayak community’s needs
KAPIT: The Tunoh Development Master Plan should take into consideration the needs of the Dayak community as they are the majority in the area, says Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
He said those developing the master plan must consider the community’s socio economic, education, safety and security needs.
“My concern is it must be a very good intensive study on economic activities – what are the cash crops that should be considered in the mind of the planners and also suitable to the local people and physical terrain. If the land is suitable for cash crops of oil palm or padi cultivation, then oil palm and padi should be planted commercially to generate cash. That would be sustainable, which means the crop will give the locals a steady monthly income,” he said after the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE) Development Plan Dialogue on Tuesday.
“That is why to me they must most importantly first study the cash crops, then they plan for other aspects like socio-economic, education like Tunoh new township, school, clinic, police station, army camp, immigration check point etc.”
He said an army camp is also necessary to protect important government assets such as Bakun Lake, Murum Lake and the proposed Baleh Dam, as well as to check border security to deter illegal immigrants from entering the country.
Ugak also hoped the Tunoh Development Master Plan would be ready in a year’s time.
Tunoh has been identified as the site for a new township under Bukit Mabong District.
Among those present during the dialogue were Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, and Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga.