HDA committee to spearhead devt in Lawas
LAWAS: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong and several stakeholders have come together to establish the Highland Development Agency (HDA) committee for Lawas, where Henry is the MP.
The committee was set up following a meeting chaired by Henry at a hotel here recently.
The deputy minister said he was looking forward to seeing HDA bring about the development in infrastructure, electricity and clean water supply to the people in the highlands, in collaboration with Lawas District Office serving as the secretariat.
Henry said the upgrading of Lawas-Ba Kelalan Road should be the top priority, with consideration to be given on the stretch linking Lawas and Limbang districts with Miri Division along the present SabahSarawak Gas Pipeline ( SSPG), which passes through the highlands.
The need to provide power and clean water supply to the constituency from the Trusan hydroelectricity power ( HEP) project and also the establishment of trading centres at Ba Kelalan and Long Semadoh Rural Growth Centre ( RGC) was also agreed upon during the meeting, which also touched on several economic activities such as boosting tourism at Mount Murud, Maga swamp forest, Merarap hot spring, kayaking activities in Trusan River and the attractions at Pa’ Puti waterfalls.
Large-scale farming of livestock such as cattle, buffaloes and goats had also been identified as a potential economic spinner for Ba Kelalan, Long Semadoh, Long Sukang and Trusan – one that would meet the demand for halal meat in collaboration with Brunei.
Henry also wanted to see Lawas to boost its own cultivation of ‘ Beras Adan’ (rice from hill padi) and brand it as its own, in that the rice has been marketed as ‘Beras Bario’.
He also pointed out the need for a new airport and a Mara Junior Science College ( MRSM) for Lawas.
Meanwhile, former Limbang MP Mutang Tagal called for a long-term master plan for the HDA in tandem with the direction laid down by the state and national leadership.
The meeting was also attended by lawyer Barry Baru, Temenggong Kading Silo and Pemanca Semuel Bie, as well as community leaders and representatives of the Lun Bawang community from Ba Kelalan and Trusan.