Dams pave way for rural devt
Masing assures roads will be built in rural areas but HEP dams will hasten their construction
KUCHING: Roads will be built in rural areas, but construction would be expedited in places with hydroelectric power ( HEP) dams.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said budget constraints were the main factor behind slower road construction in the rural areas.
“The rough terrains in these areas make such construction costly. Hence we must make it worthwhile for the government to build major highways to rural areas of Sarawak and one of the enticements is HEP (dams),” he explained in response to those who did not agree that high-impact projects should be key drivers for basic infrastructure.
He pointed out that HEP dams are ‘game changers’ for the rural economy, highlighting their socio- economic impact. Masing had on Thursday urged Baram folk to rethink the role and implications a HEP dam would have on the local community.
Citing the road construction projects thanks to the Baleh HEP dam project, he explained that the dam would finance infrastructure including providing electricity to industries and households.
In response t o Masing’s statement, many social media u s er s s a id h av i ng ba s ic infrastructure, particularly roads as well as electricity and water supply, should not be based
The rough terrains in these areas make such construction costly. Hence we must make it worthwhile for the government to build major highways to rural areas of Sarawak and one of the enticements is HEP (dams). Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Deputy Chief Minister
on high impact projects.
A Brian LD commented: “Roads are public infrastructure, used for common good. With or without any high-impact projects.”
SPAOH: The contributions of past leaders towards the development of Sarawak, especially in improving quality of life in rural areas, must be remembered and appreciated.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said these past leaders include former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang who had contributed much to the development particularly in Betong Division.
We are very thankful to our former deputy chief minister (Jabu) for his contributions and guidance to develop Betong, and other areas in the state. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister
“We are very thankful to our former deputy chief minister (Jabu) for his contributions and guidance to develop Betong, and other areas in the state.
“He (Jabu) had contributed a lot to development in Saribas area including Spaoh,” he said when officiating at the Betong parliamentary-level Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Kampung Spaoh yesterday.
Uggah, who is also Betong MP, said many positive changes could be seen in Betong Division when compared to the past.
“We also thank former chief ministers Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for their development- oriented policies which brought progress and modern lifestyle,” said Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman and also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.
On another matter, Uggah called on the younger generation to preserve the inter-racial harmony which had been practised by their forefathers.
“We have been living in harmony all this while and I hope this will continue to be practised to maintain the unity among races,” he said.
Some 2,500 people attended the function to jointly celebrate Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Also present were Jabu and Saribas assemblyman Mohamad Razi Sitam.