Kapit envisioned as biodiversity research centre
KAPIT: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg envisions world class scientists and researchers coming to Kapit to study its biodiversity resources.
He said the division has plenty of biodiversity resources that could be used to make medicine or other biotechnology products.
“Biodiversity and biotechnology mean life sciences. This also means we can bring in researchers and scientists to come here to study biodiversity.
“This will be the task of the newly set-up Upper Rajang Development Agency ( Urda) because other than to develop infrastructure and tourism attractions in upper Rajang, biodiversity is the most valuable resources available here,” he said at the meet-thepeople gathering at Kapit Civic Centre here on Tuesday.
Present were his wife Datin Amar Datuk Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Also present were Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Tun Jugah.
The Chief Minister said researchers and scientists would come to Kapit if it had good accommodation and fast information and communication technology ( ICT) infrastructure.
With good Internet connectivity, Abang Johari said the scientists would be able to communicate with their universities in real time and that would help Kapit to market its biodiversity products worldwide.
“There you are, you have world class scientists coming to upper Rajang.
“When scientists find what we call disruptive products through disruptive technology, the market will be the world.
“Then people will know where Kapit is. This is forward thinking. So we cannot be confined to only what we see today but we have to see the future,” he said.
It is for such purposes that he allocated RM1 billion for the development of ICT infrastructure in the state to have at least a two terabit Internet connection speed,
Biodiversity and biotechnology mean life sciences. This also means we can bring in researchers and scientists to come here to study biodiversity. Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
he said.
Abang Johari later approved a total of RM73.9 million worth of projects in Kapit.
He said the allocation is for the construction of 10km of Nanga Menuan Road ( RM12 million), construction of 10km of Nanga Ibau/Ulu Sungai Ibau Road (RM12 million), reconstruction of the Merit sub- district office ( RM5 million), construction of the Kapit Hospital road ( RM3.3 million), SJK Min Tak ( RM2 million), SJK Hock Lam ( RM500,000), SJK Hock Hua (RM100,000), Kapit New Iban Methodist Church ( RM5 million) and cemeteries belonging to Kwang Tung Association, Foochow Association and Sarawak Dayak National Union Kapit (RM2 million).
He also approved RM12 million for beautification of Lily Pond (now known as Panggau Danau), RM3 million for the extension of Kapit town, RM3 million for the development of Song waterfront and RM14 million for the Belaga waterfront.
He said all the projects are to be implemented within three years.