‘Layar needs more funding to boost Internet connectivity’
LAYAR assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu hopes that the state government would allocate some funds from the national budget to improve Internet connectivity in his constituency.
According to him, Internet connectivity in Layar is still very much limited, which impedes the development of related services especially those in education, banking and finance, as well as government sector.
“With the vision of the Chief Minister to develop Agropolitan Bukit Sadok, we would require good Internet and logistic connectivity to develop the agricultural sector.
“With new methods in farming including Internet of things, we hope that the younger generation would take up farming as a business,” he said when debating the state budget yesterday.
Rentap said to ensure further success in agriculture, he proposed for a university campus to be set up in Betong focusing on subjects related to agriculture, its management and sciences; as well as a collection and marketing centre to collect, pack and sell products that could be produced in Betong.
On the native customary rights ( NCR) land issue, Rentap said Sarawakians should give Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his committee a chance to finish their tasks.
He said the issues of NCR land – including Pemakai Menoa (territorial/communal domain) and Pulau Galau (forest reserves) – were affecting all Sarawakians, not only the natives.
He noted that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had given his assurance and commitment towards settling these issues; thereby appointing Uggah to head a committee tasked with looking holistically at amendments on various sections of the Sarawak Land Code.
“I hope the opposition bench would also give their support, not just criticisms and rhetoric that have political motives and other undertones.
“Land is sacred to all, especially the Dayaks. I will definitely disagree should the amendments do not safeguard my land and properties to be handed down to my children.
“Do not use this situation to sow the seeds of hatred and misinformation just because the election is around the corner,” stressed Rentap, acknowledging that Sarawakians have always been peaceful people and in this regard, every leader should show their maturity and solve this together for the future of the children and the generations that follow.