MP proposes setting up sub-district at Nanga Gaat
KUCHING: There is an urgent need for a sub-district to be set up at Nanga Gaat in Mabong District in Kapit to expedite development in the area as it is part of the Upper Rajang Development Authority (Urda), said Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
He said presently Mabong District has no sub- district to support its administrative functions.
“I would like to propose the setting up of Nanga Gaat SubDistrict so that it would expedite the development of upper Baleh which is on the opposite side of the proposed Baleh hydroelectric power (HEP) dam.
“The setting-up of the sub-district is timely so that development can be expedited,” Ugak told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
He added that the setting- up of the sub- district would benefit more than 10,000 people who had been living there without road connectivity.
“The setting up of a sub-district at Nanga Gaat will ensure that there will be a road that will connect Kapit to Rumah Tungku, Nanga Sebiro, and Sungai Gaat in Baleh,” he said.
Ugak said the ideal location for the Nanga Gaat Sub-District is at the river mouth of Nanga Gaat where SMK Balleh is located and where there is already a health clinic and an agriculture station.
“Most of the people in upper Baleh area have been using boats throughout their whole life. And now after 54 years of independence, it’s about time that they should have road accessibility as well,” he pointed out.
The f i rst- term Member of Parliament welcomed the setting up of Urda as it would ensure that development in the area would take off as expected by the people.
“What we need urgently are roads and better communication. These two factors will ensure that the people can participate in the global development as envisioned by the Chief Minister when he launched the state’s policy on
I would like to propose the setting up of Nanga Gaat Sub-District so that it would expedite the development of upper Baleh which is on the opposite side of the proposed Baleh hydroelectric power (HEP) dam. Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Hulu Rajang MP
digital economy,” he stressed.
Recently, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the setting-up of Urda to look into the development of Kapit Division and some parts of Bintulu.
Urda, which is set up under the Regional Corridor Development Authority ( Recoda) Ordinance 2006 (4b), covers an area of 38,000 sq. kilometres, which is one third the size of Sarawak.
Abang Joahri made t he announcement at a pres s conference after visiting the Kapit Development Exhibition at Kapit Civic Centre during his first working visit to the division after he became the chief minister more than 100 days ago.
At thefunction, theChiefMinister also announced that Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing would be the chairman of Urda, while Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi would be his deputy.
According to Abang Johari, the agency would report the planning and implementation of development in the area to Recoda, which is chaired by himself.
The Chief Minister also said the area has huge potential to be developed, with the Bakun, Baleh and Murum HEP dams sited there apart from coal deposits and ample land for agricultural activities especially at Sungai Tunoh.
He said a master plan was needed for the development in the area such as infrastructure, in which Urda was needed to coordinate the various available agencies to ensure the blueprint for the area is implemented.