Rayong suggests name change for Batang Ai Hilir, Skrang Hilir
LUBOK ANTU: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa has suggested that Batang Ai Hilir and Skrang Hilir be renamed as Batang Ai and Skrang, respectively, to signify that these two areas are not remote anymore.
Now that these two areas — within the Engkilili constituency — are linked to other parts of the state by access roads, and have water and electricity supply, they are no longer considered remote, says Rayong.
“Now it takes less than 25 minutes to travel to Sri Aman, Engkilili or Betong from these two areas. What makes life more pleasent is that you have 24-hour water and electricity supply. Hence, the necessity for the change of names,” Rayong stressed.
His suggestion received cheer and applause from the crowd attending the closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration and thanksgiving ceremony for the new roof over Rumah Imau Sudan, Tanjong, Batang Ai Hilir in Engkilili here on Saturday.
“All these development were made possible by the able leadership of the late chief minister Datuk ( Patinggi Tan Sri) Adenan Satem and now under another equally able leadership of Chief Minister Datuk (Amar) Abang Johari Tun Openg. Therefore, we should continue to support Barisan Nasional ( BN) government including our parliamentary election candidate Datuk William Nyallau Badak,” Rayong added.
Nyallau, the current Lubok Antu MP, was also at the function.
Nyallau cautioned the people against falling prey to the instigations of members of the opposition to hate and betray the BN.
“Only Barisan Nasional government can bring us development. Hence, we must give PM and CM our continuous support for further and continuous development,” Nyallau said.
He also said that he agreed with Rayong’s call for people not to leave their land idle, but to develop
Now it takes less than 25 minutes to travel to Sri Aman, Engkilili or Betong from these two areas. What makes life more pleasant is that you have 24-hour water and electricity supply. Hence, the necessity for the change of names.
them by planting more wet paddy, cocoa, pepper, rubber and other cash crops.
“We all want Sarawak to be on par with other states in Malaysia. We must work immensely to contribute in making Malaysia a high-income nation by 2030,” Nyallau added.
At the function, Rayong pledged a Minor Rural Project ( MRP) fund of RM10,000 to Rumah Imau village security and development committee (JKKK) to finance their activities and minor projects, and RM5,000 to the longhouse Women Bureau to buy kitchen utensils.
Rayong also announced the approval of his Rural Transformation Programme ( RTP) grant of RM100,000 to Rumah Imau to improve their longhouse condition.
Nyallau granted RM5,000 to the longhouse for the folk to buy water tanks for fi re-fighting, and another RM5,000 to its Women’s Bureau.
Nyallau also pledged a grant of RM20,000 for the longhouse folk to improve the floors and RM200,000 for upgrading the road and parking space behind the longhouse.
Rayong and Nyallau were accompanied by Engkilili Special Affairs officer Edwin Ancheh, Penghulu Gerang of Sungai Keroh and other community leaders as well as local councillors.
Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa, Engkilili assemblyman